🗼 Minaret of Jam
Afghanistan
About This Sacred Site
The Minaret of Jam is a 65-meter-tall 12th-century minaret in a remote valley in western Afghanistan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Ghurid dynasty Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad around 1194 CE, the minaret is adorned with intricate brickwork, Kufic and Naskhi calligraphy, and turquoise-glazed tiles. It is believed to mark the location of the ancient city of Firuzkuh, the lost capital of the Ghurid Empire. The minaret's remote location and the Hari River's erosion threaten its survival.
Key Facts
- •Stands 65 meters tall, the second-tallest ancient minaret
- •UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, also on the endangered list
- •Built around 1194 CE by Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad
- •May mark the site of the lost Ghurid capital Firuzkuh
- •Features intricate Kufic calligraphy and turquoise tiles
Location
Coordinates: 34.3964, 64.5158
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