Forten en citadellen in Afghanistan

Fortresses & Citadels

Afghanistan's strategic position at the crossroads of Central and South Asia is preserved in its formidable fortifications. This collection features massive defensive structures ranging from the ancient foundations of Baktra to the Timurid-era Herat Citadel. These sites showcase diverse architectural styles, including mud-brick ramparts, medieval towers, and the royal administrative complex of the Arg. Together, they document the military and political history of dynasties from the time of Alexander the Great through the Ghaznavid and Durrani empires.

Fortresses & Citadels — Kaart

S.K. Vemmer (U.S. Department of State) / Public domain

A

Herat Citadel

The Qala Ikhtyaruddin, or Citadel of Herat, is a fort located in the center of Herat in Afghanistan.

World Imaging / CC-BY-SA-3.0

B

Baktra

Bactria, or Bactriana, was an ancient Iranian civilization in Central Asia based in the area south of the Oxus River and north of the…

Matt Peterson / CC0

C

Farah Citadel

The Citadel of Farah, also known as the Citadel of Alexander, and locally known as Shar-e-Farahdun.

D

Arg

The presidential palace in Kabul, built in 1880 by Emir Abdur Rahman Khan. It serves as the historic seat of power, featuring high defensive walls and administrative buildings on the site of a 19th-century royal residence.

E

Bala Hissar

An ancient fortress in Kabul with origins dating back to the 5th century. It served as a royal residence for centuries and played a critical role during the Anglo-Afghan Wars. Its massive ramparts overlook the old city.

F

Citadel of Ghazni

A 13th-century military fortification built during the Ghaznavid era. The citadel features a series of massive mud-brick towers and ramparts that once protected one of the most important medieval trade and cultural hubs in the Islamic world.