Things to do in Her?t, AF

The Jama Masjid of Herat (Arabic: مَـسْـجِـد الْـجُـمُـعَـة هـرَات ‎, translit. Masjid al-Jumu‘ah Herāṫ), also known as the Masjid-i Jāmi‘ (Persian: مَسجدِ جَامع ‬ ‎) of Herat, and the Great Mosque of Herat is a mosque in the city of Herat, in the Herat Province of north-western Afghanistan.

This citadel, which has been suggested as another possible site for Alexander's fort, is known today as the famous Citadel of Herat. Herat thrived with the Silk Road trade from the Levant to India and China, and became an important city of the Ghurid dynasty in 1175.

The National Museum of Herat is housed in the lower Citadel. The Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin worked with the German Archaeological Institute to document and restore artifacts and prepare them for display. The museum was opened to the public in October of 2011.

Today, only five minarets and Gowhar Shad's mausoleum remain. The loss of the rest is a testament to the sorrier type of imperial meddling in Afghan politics. By the park entrance is the sole standing minaret of her madrassa, tilting at a worrying angle and braced with steel cables.

At the bottom of the hill is a small theme park, complete with rides and a giant concrete pigeon. As you go up the hill, you pass a large swimming pool, popular with males of the species in the summer months.