World Heritage Identification Number: 211
World Heritage since: 2002
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: Yes
Country: 🇦🇫 Afghanistan
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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The Minaret of Jam: A Stunning Testimony of Islamic Artistry in Afghanistan
The Minaret of Jam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, stands as a remarkable example of Islamic artistry and architectural prowess in the heart of Afghanistan. Located in the remote and rugged terrain of the Shahrak District, Ghor Province, near the Hari River, this 65-meter-tall minaret boasts intricate brick, stucco, and glazed tile decorations that have captivated visitors and scholars alike for centuries.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The 65m-tall Minaret of Jam is a graceful, soaring structure, dating back to the 12th century. Covered in elaborate brickwork with a blue tile inscription at the top, it is noteworthy for the quality of its architecture and decoration, which represent the culmination of an architectural and artistic tradition in this region. Its impact is heightened by its dramatic setting, a deep river valley between towering mountains in the heart of the Ghur province.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ii): The innovative architecture and decoration of the Minaret of Jam played a significant role in the development of the arts and architecture of the Indian sub-continent and beyond.
Criterion (iii): The Minaret of Jam and its associated archaeological remains constitute exceptional testimony to the power and quality of the Ghurid civilization that dominated its region in the 12th and 13th centuries.
Criterion (iv): The Minaret of Jam is an outstanding example of Islamic architecture and ornamentation in this region and played a significant role in their further dissemination.
Encyclopedia Record: Minaret of Jam
The Minaret of Jam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in western Afghanistan. It is located in a remote and nearly inaccessible region of the Shahrak District, Ghor Province, next to the Hari River. The 62 m (203 ft) or 65 m (213 ft) high minaret was built c. 1190, entirely of baked bricks, and is famous for its intricate brick, stucco and glazed tile decoration, which consists of alternating bands of Kufic and Naskhi calligraphy, geometric patterns, and verses from the Qur'an. Since 2002, the minaret has remained on the list of World Heritage in Danger, under serious threat of erosion, and has not been actively preserved. In 2014, the BBC reported that the tower was in imminent danger of collapse.Additional Site Details
Area: 70 hectares
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
Coordinates: 34.3964166667 , 64.5158888889
Image
david adamec, Public domain
