Mazar-i-Sharif

Mazār-i-Sharīf Travel Wiki

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Travel to Mazar-i-Sharif

Mazār-i-Sharīf or just Mazar, is the fourth-largest city of Afghanistan, with a population of 425.000 inhabitants. It is the capital of Balkh province and lies about 55 kilometres from the Uzbekistan border. The city is a famous tourist attractions because of the famous shrines and the archeological sites.

The name Mazar-i-Sharif means “Tomb of the Prince”, a reference to the large, blue-tiled sanctuary and mosque in the center of the city known as the Shrine of Ali or the Blue Mosque.

The Blue Mosque (Shrine of Ali)

The Blue Mosque is a mosque located in the center of Mazar-i-Sharif. The Seljuq dynasty sultan Ahmed Sanjar built the first known shrine at this location. It was destroyed or hidden under earthen embankment during the invasion of Genghis Khan in around 1220. In the 15th century, Sultan Husayn Mirza Bayqarah built the current Blue Mosque here. It is by far the most important landmark in Mazar-i-Sharif and it is believed that the name of city (Noble Shrine, Grave of Sharif) originates from this shrine.

A site plan of the location made in the 1910s shows that there had earlier been a smaller walled precinct in the mosque, which was razed to create parklands later, although the portals to this precinct still remain as gateways for the shrine. Tombs of varying dimensions were added for a number of Afghan political and religious leaders over the years, which has led to the development of its current irregular dimensions. These include the square domed tomb of Amir Dost Muhammad, Wazir Akbar Khan and a similar structure for Amir Sher Ali and his family.
According to a local legend here has been buried Ali who reportedly was brought here by a white camel in order to save his remains from the desecration by his enemies. Most Muslims though consider that Ali is buried in Imam Ali Mosque, Najaf in Iraq.

Travel and vacation in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan

Here you can find information about travel and holiday trips to Afghanistan. You will find travel deals as well as general travel information, guides, “good to know” and facts about Afghanistan. We try to find the best travel video about the city and its surroundings and we write about the best sights, shopping and things to do. You will also find updated current weather and forecasts. The current exchange rates are also updated many times a day.