Bagh-e Bala Palace, Royal palace on hilltop in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Bagh-e Bala Palace sits on a hilltop in Kabul with traditional Afghan architecture, symmetrical gardens, and large water features. The structure combines residential spaces, ceremonial halls, and expansive grounds that create a unified composition.
Emir Abdur Rahman Khan built this palace in 1893 as a summer residence during a period of consolidating royal authority. The site later became Afghanistan's National Museum in 1919.
The name means Upper Garden in Persian, reflecting how gardens hold deep meaning in Afghan building traditions. The landscaped grounds with their water features show how important these elements are to the local way of life.
The palace sits at an elevated position that gives visitors sweeping views across Kabul from its hilltop location. Sturdy footwear is recommended when walking the grounds and exploring both the buildings and gardens.
American historians Nancy and Louis Dupree chose this palace for their wedding in 1966, creating an unusual link between a royal site and Western scholarship. This choice reflected the openness of the era's leadership to international visitors and connections.
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