Arg, Presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The Arg is a presidential palace in Kabul located in the Wazir Akbar Khan district, surrounded by water-filled trenches and military quarters within its fortified walls. The complex contains administrative offices, meeting rooms, the presidential residence, and security facilities in a secured perimeter in central Kabul.
After Bala Hissar was destroyed during the Second Anglo-Afghan War in 1880, Emir Abdur Rahman Khan ordered construction of this new presidential residence. The palace became the seat of power and defined Afghan governance for more than a century.
The palace displays Afghan building traditions through its central courtyard and grand halls used for government functions and diplomatic gatherings. These spaces show how important such places are for exercising authority and conducting official meetings.
The palace sits in central Kabul and is set apart from regular city traffic by security measures, which becomes obvious as you approach it. Access may be heavily restricted or completely closed depending on the current security situation in the area.
The complex has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, reflecting Afghanistan's turbulent history. In August 2021, Taliban forces occupied the building after President Ashraf Ghani left the country, marking a turning point in the nation's recent story.
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