Zadian Minaret, Seljuk minaret in Zadian, Afghanistan
The Zadian Minaret is a cylindrical tower built from brick and plaster that rises in Balkh Province and exemplifies Seljuk architecture. The structure tapers toward the top and displays the characteristic form of a minaret from that era with carefully worked building materials.
The tower was built around 1109 CE during the Seljuk period and is among the few surviving structures from that era in Afghanistan. Despite numerous invasions and conflicts over centuries, the building has remained fundamentally intact.
The surface bears inscriptions in Kufic script that begin with "In the name of God, the Merciful and Compassionate." It stands near the shrine of Hazrat Saleh and forms part of the religious life of the area.
The structure is located in the Dawlatabat region of Balkh Province and is best accessed during daylight hours when conditions are safe and visibility is clear. Its proximity to a nearby shrine makes the site easy to locate and offers several ways to explore the historical area.
Visitors to the nearby shrine follow a tradition of placing small clay pieces in an arched niche to seek relief from skin conditions. This practice shows how archaeological and religious sites remain connected in everyday life.
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