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In the heart of #Afghanistan lies one of the most beautiful monuments in the world. At the bottom of Wadi, far from the modern world, the minaret of Jam has existed for nearly 900 years. Here is a #thread on a Muslim structure with an unclear Jewish connection. @LaDafa_afg
The accepted assumption is that the place where the minaret is located is in the old town of Firozkoh, which was eventually completely destroyed by the Mongols. The minaret was built in the middle of Wadi.
According to an inscription on the minaret, it was built in 1194/1195, and according to some paintings and accounts there was also a mosque on the site, but no remains can be seen today.
From the mid 13th century until the end of the 19th century, the minaret was completely forgotten.
In 1886, the minaret was rediscovered, but research on the minaret did not begin until 1957. Its height is 65 meters and its base is 9 meters.
In total, the minaret consists of four cylinders constructed so that the diameter decreases as much as the height increases.
The interior of the minaret is not as exciting as its exterior form. The ascent is made by a circular staircase which is built on the inner sides of the minaret.
These stairs go up to the middle of the minaret, the climb to the upper part of the minaret is possible by stairs built on the outer wall.
It seems that there was a dome at the top of the minaret, which does not exist today. On the outside, the minaret is decorated with geometric engravings and has inscriptions painted in turquoise to make them stand out.
Most of the inscriptions are quotes from the Quran with a full surah from Mariam (Mary), chapter 19 of the Quran, which tells the story of Mariam, mother of Jesus. The end of one of the inscriptions lists the names of the dynasty in honor of those whose minaret was built.
Other buildings have been discovered in the minaret area, including the remains of fortresses, towers and a water reservoir, probably part of an installation that was around the minaret.
The most surprising find appeared on the hill near the minaret.
There, the stones with inscriptions in ancient Hebrew were found. According to their content they are probably the remains of a cemetery. The main problem today is that the minaret is constantly threatened by erosion from the rivers nearby.
There are also signs that the minaret is starting to tilt, just like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
To date, despite many attempts, UNESCO professionals do not yet have access to the field and currently no preservation work is underway on the site.
(Source: Gilad B. Jaff)
(Source: Gilad B. Jaff)
