Sightseeing in Herat, Afghanistan

We went to the Jihad Museum, where the Afghan people are remembering their war with Russia and those who were lost in that war.   

"Conceived  in early 2002, just months after the routing of the Taliban, the multi-million-dollar complex is the brainchild of Ismail Khan, who at the time was the all-powerful governor of Herat and known among both admirers and critics as the “Emir of the West.”It is a circular, domed structure, lined on the outside with 700 marble plaques, each containing the names of three “shahid,” or martyrs. The grounds around the building display helicopters, anti-aircraft guns, even an airplane used in the fight against the Soviets.

In addition to weaponry, the museum features portraits of the fallen, photographs of jihadi heroes, letters and other memorabilia, along with a vast, panoramic display made up of dozens of meticulously fashioned figures acting out the events in Herat on March 15, 1979 that helped kick off the first Afghan war.

The government responded with a fierce bombing campaign that killed hundreds, perhaps thousands, of civilians. The guide insists that 26,000 Heratis died in one week, but the figure has never been substantiated.

The Herat uprising is thought to be one of the major precipitating factors in the Soviet decision to invade the country in December 1979, an event whose consequences are still being played out today.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/afghanistan/090423/the-land-endless-war

Next we visited the Citadel, a very old fort that is first attributed to Alexander the Great.  It has suffered some destruction due to recent wars but is currently in the process of being restored.  It's an amazing sight and affords a great view of the city from its towers.  

You can see their building styles and their markets.  The soil is clay and nicely conducive to making bricks.  

Finally, a view of the city that we see as we drive through.  Vendors set up for sale wherever they can find a spot.  However, if you want to buy a variety of items, good luck.  There aren't very many department stores.  Instead, all of the shops selling linens are located in one spot, those selling kitchen wares in another, jewelry along another city block, etc.  You will have to travel to many places and haggle the cost with several vendors.  It's challenging!