Kakh-Kaha
Man-made, Historical building, Fortress
The fortress of Qah-Qahha is located at the elevation of 2642 meter above the sea level in the Ishkashim district with following GPS coordinates: (lat: 36.404402 N long: 71.452591 E)The fortress is located on the natural cliff at 125 meters above the left shore of the Panj (Oxus) river. It is 115km located away from Khorog, and 5km away from the centre of the Ishkashim district. Qahqaha is one of the biggest ruined fortresses in the GBAO Badakhshan. It is built on a huge rock by using local stones and mud.
The fortress is built of stone and clay. The length of the fortress from west to the east is 675 meters and from south to north 220 meters. The fortress consists of 56 round towers, which had served as watchtowers. The large size of the bricks of the fortress (40 x 28 x 10 cm, 27 x 27 x 5 cm) testifies that this fortress was built in the ancient times. The walls have many holes and places from where arrows can be short. This is complex architectural planning consists of three parts (citadel and two open grounds). Judging by the shape and forms of the bricks, discoveries of the piece of pottery, researchers established that the construction of the fortress continued during the reign of the Kushans.
Travelling to the Site
The fortress of Qahqaha is situated on the main road connecting Khorog to Ishkashim district.
Visitors travelling to the site can take a taxi, or join the shared public transport going from Khorog to Ishkashim every day. The fortress can be also reached by travelling from Murgab to the centre of Iskashim. Ishkashim is a border town connecting Tajikistan and Afghanistan via a bridge. Therefore, the fortress can be reached by visitors travelling from Afghanistan.
Visitors travelling to the site can take a taxi, or join the shared public transport going from Khorog to Ishkashim every day. The fortress can be also reached by travelling from Murgab to the centre of Iskashim. Ishkashim is a border town connecting Tajikistan and Afghanistan via a bridge. Therefore, the fortress can be reached by visitors travelling from Afghanistan.