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The Citadel of Herat ( Pashto: سکندرۍ کلا ; Dari: ارگ هرات) also known as the Citadel of Alexander, and locally known as Qala Iktyaruddin ( Pashto ; Dari: قلعه اختیارالدین), is located in the center of Herat in Afghanistan. It dates back to 330 BC, when Alexander the Great and his army arrived to what is now Afghanistan after the Battle of Gaugamela. Many empires have used it as a headquarters in the last 2,000 years, and was destroyed and rebuilt many times over the centuries.
From decades of wars and neglect, the citadel began to crumble but in recent years several international organizations decided to completely rebuild it. The ''National Museum of Herat'' is also housed inside the citadel, while the Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture is the caretaker of the whole premises.
The citadel of Herat was completely renovated between 2006 and 2011. The latest restoration involved hundreds of Afghan craftsmen and funds from the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and about $2.4 million from the U.S. and 
About 1,100 items from the Herat region are stored inside the museum at the citadel, of which 250 are on display currently.Restored citadel is symbol of hope in Afghanistan
Deb Riechmann. October 17, 2011. At a ceremony in October 2011,
File:Citadel in Herat in 2011.jpg, An inside view of the ''Qala Ikhtyaruddin'' ( citadel) in Herat.
Herat Citadel, Afghanistan.jpg, Inside view
Recent restoration
The citadel of Herat was completely renovated between 2006 and 2011. The latest restoration involved hundreds of Afghan craftsmen and funds from the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and about $2.4 million from the U.S. and German
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governments.
About 1,100 items from the Herat region are stored inside the museum at the citadel, of which 250 are on display currently.Restored citadel is symbol of hope in AfghanistanDeb Riechmann. October 17, 2011. At a ceremony in October 2011,
U.S. Ambassador
Ambassadors of the United States are persons nominated by the President of the United States, president to serve as the country's diplomat, diplomatic representatives to foreign nations, international organizations, and as Ambassador-at-large, ...
Ryan Crocker
Ryan Clark Crocker (born June 19, 1949) is an American retired diplomat who served as a career ambassador within the United States Foreign Service and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He has served as United States Ambassador to ...
stated that: "Until 35 years ago, tourists from around the world came here to experience heritage, history and incomparable national landscapes... We look forward to the day when Afghans and visitors from around the world will once again come here to learn about Afghanistan's rich history and enjoy the great hospitality and beauty that this land and its people have to offer." Also present on the occasion was Afghan-expert Nancy Dupree
Nancy Hatch Dupree ( ps, نانسي دوپري, translit=Nansi dupri; October 3, 1927 – September 10, 2017) was an American-Afghan historian whose work primarily focused on the history of modern Afghanistan. She was the director of the Afghanis ...
and this is what she had to say: "I've been here many times, but it was crumbling... This is impressive.... I think the most exciting thing is to see something finally accomplished. I have seen so many half-finished things."
Gallery
References
External links
{{Herat Province Citadel Forts in Afghanistan Royal residences in Afghanistan Palaces in Afghanistan