Afghanistan: Balkh – Citadel of Balkh

Balkh is one of the oldest cities on earth, dating back over 2500 years. Balkh is often called the “Mother of Cities” as it was a major center for Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and later Islam and witnessed multiple empires and civilization pass through it. The main historic sight here is the Citadel of Balkh, although it’s mostly clay and mud ruins and hills. The citadel’s origins trace to the Achaemenid period (6th–4th century BC), with fortifications expanded under subsequent rulers, including the Greeks, Kushans, and Islamic dynasties. The citadel already stood here when Alexander the Great conquered it in 330 BC (he actually went on to marry Roxana in Balkh)! The central area of the citadel is Called Bala Hissar and likely housed palaces.