Restoration of Herat’s Historic Citadel Underway after Earthquake

DID Press: Cultural officials of the Taliban administration in western Herat province have announced that restoration work on the historic Ikhtiyar al-Din Citadel has begun, using local materials and scientific methods to enhance earthquake resistance.

The reconstruction phases of the citadel, damaged during a recent earthquake in the region, are being carried out according to archaeological principles and traditional building techniques.

The acting head of Information and Culture in Herat said the restoration aims to strengthen the structure against potential future earthquakes, ensuring the preservation of this valuable historical site. He added that repairs on many other heritage sites damaged in the Herat earthquake have already reached their final stages.

The Ikhtiyir al-Din Citadel, reportedly built by Alexander the Great, is among Herat’s oldest and most beautiful historical structures. It features 13 towers, with its highest point reaching 20 meters.

Meanwhile, the acting head of Information and Culture in Ghor province issued a warning about the Minar-e-Jam, which is at risk of collapse due to natural disasters, and called for international support to preserve the historic monument. He emphasized that without global assistance, Minar-e-Jam will be unable to withstand natural hazards, increasing the risk of its destruction.