Get acquainted with the historical Herat

Herat is located in the valley of the Hari river. It is the third largest city in the county. Herat was known world over for its wine. The city is almost twenty-seven hundred years old.

Alexander the great has built the most elaborate citadel and many historic buildings. Although a lot of these have been damaged by the many wars that have been fought in the region over the years. This city was one of the most important cities of the Persian empire during the middle ages.

This strategically important city was a major trade route between middle east, central and south Asia. Also the city of Herat was the center of art, poetry, painting and music. It was the melting pot of the Afghan, Asian and Persian cultures. Under the rule of Ali Sheer Nawahee, the city flourished a lot and was recognized as the center of trade and production of handicrafts; adding to it the rise of a new awakening in culture and art, in whole of central Asia.

This place is known on a global level particularly for its unique ‘Herati Carpets’. Now, because of its historical value and for how gorgeous the; once capital city of Herat is; a constant flow of tourists is seen throughout the year. The city has magnificent architecture and bold monuments.

Let us take a look at some of what this place has to offer.

Masjid E Jame

Literally meaning ‘Friday mosque’, this stunning structure is a very popular tourist attraction. The mosque is decorated with exquisite tiles and alluring mosaic designs. If you are in art then you will definitely be interested in how different the Ghorid tile work (found here) are from the Timurid tile work.

The Citadel

This great fort was built by no other than Alexander the great. That is just the beginning, conquerors like Genghis Khan and the Great Timur fought inside its walls. The citadel is a symbol of grandeurs to remind us of the times of kings, conquerors, honor and courage.

The Mousallah Complex

Queen Gaur Shah of Timur built the Mousallah complex. There was actually a school that was built into this complex. Constructed astoundingly with lovely architecture lost six of its buildings to the British soldiers who destroyed it.

Tomb of Jami

Nuruddin Adurrahman Jami was a fifteenth century Persian poet who was a literary genius during his time. His tomb rests under a pistachio tree next to the mosque.

Gazar Gah

The Timurid king shah Rukh built many beautiful buildings here with brilliant tile work. A Sufi mystic and poet, Khawaja Adbulla Ansar; who died in the eleventh century; is buried in an elegant tomb that is lavishly decorated.

So, come to Herat and experience a historical adventure like no other.