Kabul - Afghanistan - Sight Seeing

Hi followers!

As you might know we are in Kabul in Afghanistan. The city of Kabul, which used to be a tourist attraction, has lost its charm during the last 24 years of its history. Infrastructures such as roads and traffic system, telephone and electricity system, water sanitation, renovation of buildings is in shambles and the need for reconstruction is very high. Its days as a popular stop for backpackers making their way along the fabled Hippie Trail are long gone, but the war-ravaged Afghan capital is beginning to attract a new generation of travelers.

Here are some major places of interest:

The Kabul Bala-Hisar

The Bala-Hisar means a citadel or fortress within a walled town on top of a ridge or hill. Bala-Hissar as town’s main defensive complex has served as residence of Afghan rulers. Most of Afghan historic cities have a Bala-Hissar. This 06th century old fortress has witnessed most of the exciting events of the century’s history until 1880 when it was destroyed during the second Anglo Afghan war. Nadir Shah started the process of reconstruction and since 1939 it served as military college until it was left in ruin by the bombardments & skirmishes.

The Kabul Museum:
The Kabul Museum, which used to have one of the finest collections of antiquities in Asia, has had nearly three-quarters of its finest collections looted. It is still possible to see the remaining artifacts.

The Gardens of Babur:

The pleasant Gardens of Babur were once a cool retreat near the city walls. Moghul Emperor Babur laid out these gardens in 16th century. Later Emperor Shah Jehan built a mosque. 

Babur died in Agra in 1530 but he loved these gardens so much that he wished before his death to be buried in these gardens. His Afghan wife, Bibi Mobarka, who built his tomb in these gardens, fulfilled his wish. Recently these gardens were in ruin but now AKDN (Aga Khan Development Network) has taken the responsibility of its re-construction to return back to its past glory.

ARG (Palace):
Amir Abdul Rahman built this citadel to operate the Bala Hisar places. Within the Arg, there was Salam khana (hall of salutation) and the Dilkosha Palace (Heart Delight palace). Later it was used for presidential offices until it was left in ruin due to heavy bombardments.

Mausoleums:
The tomb of Timur Shah

The Mausoleum of Amir Abdul Rahman

It stands in Zarnegar Park, in the center of the city as a fine example of 19th century architecture remaining in Kabul.

The Mausoleum of Nadir Shah

The imposing white-marbled, blue-domed  stands on the hill known as Tapa Marajan overlooking Kabul.

After visiting all these sites we finished in the bazaars. Kabul’s many colorful bazaars were the places to attract a large number of visitors for shopping and sightseeing. Among the most famous, which exists in today’s Kabul as well are Chicken Street, Shor Bazaar and Bazaar-e-Charchata.

I'm glad that we've been here but I’m also glad we are leaving. I can imagine that Kabul was a beautiful city once but due to the war there are so many things destroyed. It is not 100% safe for us to be in this city much longer so up to the next!

See y'all in Iran!

Greetz and love

Klaas

http://sitara.com/afghanistan/tours.html