Hisar, city in Tajikistan
Hisar is a city in western Tajikistan, about 25 kilometers from the capital Dushanbe, situated in a fertile valley along the Khanaka River. The main attraction is the fortress on a hilltop, surrounded by mud brick walls, towers, and gates; beside it stand two madrasa buildings, one housing a museum with Soviet-era objects and the other containing the Sangin Mosque.
The fortress was mentioned as early as 1000 BC and served as an important defense point and trade hub for over 3000 years. It was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, including by Arabs, Mongols, and rulers from Bukhara, and received new structures such as a gate, madrasa, and mausoleum in the 16th century.
The city has a strong Islamic presence visible in its old mosques and madrasas that shape the streetscape. Local wedding celebrations take place regularly in the fortress, especially on Sundays, showing how history and present-day life intertwine here.
A visit to Hisar works well as a day trip from Dushanbe and takes about half a day; the best time is early morning, especially in summer, since there is little shade at the fortress. You can reach it by car, taxi, or minibus (route 8 from Zarnisor Bazaar), or by train, though you will need to walk about 5 kilometers to the fortress afterward.
A caravanserai from 1808 still stands in ruins beside the madrasas, recalling when merchants with camels rested here during long journeys. Most of the building's materials were removed during Soviet times to construct a theater in Dushanbe, leaving only the lower structure intact.
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