Afghanistan

Herat - Khwaja Abdullah Ansari International Airport

Herāt

Herat

Iran

Torbat-e Jām

Razavi Khorasan

The Herat Citadel, also known as the Citadel of Alexander or the Citadel of Herat, is an ancient fortress located in the city of Herat, Afghanistan. The citadel dates back to the 3rd century BC and has served as an important center of power and commerce throughout the centuries.

The Herat Citadel is believed to have been built by Alexander the Great during his conquest of the region in the 3rd century BC. It was later used by the Timurids, the Safavids, and the Mughals, among others, as a military base and administrative center.

The citadel is a massive structure, with walls that are up to 15 meters high and over 3 meters thick. It is built of baked bricks, with towers and bastions at each corner. The citadel is surrounded by a moat that is 15 meters wide and 10 meters deep, which served as a defensive barrier against invading armies.

Herat Citadel

The Herat Central Blue Mosque, also known as the Friday Mosque of Herat, is a stunning example of Islamic architecture located in the city of Herat, Afghanistan. The mosque was built in the 12th century during the Ghurid dynasty and has undergone several renovations and additions over the centuries.

The mosque is renowned for its intricate tilework, which features a combination of geometric and floral designs in shades of blue, turquoise, and white. The tiles are arranged in intricate patterns on the mosque's domes, minarets, and facades, creating a breathtaking display of Islamic artistry.

The Herat Central Blue Mosque features a large central courtyard surrounded by arched porticoes, which lead to the main prayer hall. The prayer hall is a large, rectangular space with a central nave and several smaller side chapels. The mosque's mihrab, or prayer niche, is elaborately decorated with intricate tilework and calligraphy, and is considered one of the finest examples of Islamic art in the region.

The mosque's minarets, which are over 55 meters tall, are also adorned with intricate tilework and are a prominent feature of the Herat skyline. Visitors to the mosque can climb to the top of the minarets for stunning views of the city and surrounding countryside.

Herat Central Blue Mosque

The Khwaja Abd Allah Ansari Shrine is a holy site located in Herat, Afghanistan, dedicated to the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Abd Allah Ansari. Ansari, also known as the "Pir-i Herat" (the saint of Herat), was a prominent 11th-century Persian mystic and poet who played an important role in the development of Sufism in the region.

The shrine complex, which covers an area of approximately 10,000 square meters, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Afghanistan and attracts thousands of visitors each year, both from within the country and from abroad. The site is particularly significant for Shia Muslims, who believe that Ansari was a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib.

The shrine itself consists of a large mosque, a mausoleum, and a courtyard. The mausoleum houses the tomb of Khwaja Abd Allah Ansari, which is covered in green cloth and surrounded by a decorative wooden screen. The mosque, which dates back to the 15th century, features a beautiful tilework and calligraphy, and is said to be one of the finest examples of Timurid-era architecture in the region.

Herat - Khwaja Abdullah Ansari International Airport

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