Vamar
Man-made, Historical building, Fortress
Qalai Vamar (Vamar Fortress) is located in the town Vamar, at the bank of the Panj river. The town of Vamar is the administrative center of the Rushan district and is situated in the flat area formed at the confluence of the Bartang, and the Panj river on the border of Tajikistan with Afghanistan. Qalai Vamar is considered one of the oldest splendid historical monuments in the Rushan district of the GBAO. In the past, it has served as a headquarter, stronghold and residence of the different rulers, including locals, Afghan, and Bukharian invaders, Tsarist Russian soldiers, and Soviet government. Archaeologists date back its construction to the XIX century, while the scattered information presented in local sources) mention that it was built some centuries earlier.
The fortress occupies territory of 1.5 hectares. The walls of the fortress were strengthened by quadrangular towers with loopholes. The entrance to the fortress was from the western side. The walls of the castle were made of stone laid on clay masonry. To consolidate the wall, logs were laid along the outer and inner edges after 50-60 cm. The height of the walls is 6 m, the thickness is 7 m at the base and up to 3 m in the upper part at the top. There were typical Pamir houses, surrounded by garden fortress. The wooden parts inside (doors, plat bands, columns, etc.) were decorated with rich carvings. (Mira Bubnova, 2007, 97).
This description of the fortress differs from the information provided by local inhabitants. According to their story, the construction of the fortress continued for three years. There were 3 gates, 1 lobster, two underground bays, and an underground water trench and pipe, bringing water to the castle from the River Panj. It should be mentioned that this trench of water still exists. The Soviet and Russian soldiers buried a damaged tank there to serve as the trench. The underground pipe of water is damaged. The height of the wall of the castle was 60 feet, the width of the walls was 7 meters. The garden was decorated with more than 100 species of trees. There was a large square area, in the courtyard of the palace. This area was called Rigakmidon (the sandy square). This square was used for celebrations, including music and dances, and sports (wrestling and horse riding that took place during weddings, celebrations of holidays, and especially during Nawruz festival.
This description of the fortress differs from the information provided by local inhabitants. According to their story, the construction of the fortress continued for three years. There were 3 gates, 1 lobster, two underground bays, and an underground water trench and pipe, bringing water to the castle from the River Panj. It should be mentioned that this trench of water still exists. The Soviet and Russian soldiers buried a damaged tank there to serve as the trench. The underground pipe of water is damaged. The height of the wall of the castle was 60 feet, the width of the walls was 7 meters. The garden was decorated with more than 100 species of trees. There was a large square area, in the courtyard of the palace. This area was called Rigakmidon (the sandy square). This square was used for celebrations, including music and dances, and sports (wrestling and horse riding that took place during weddings, celebrations of holidays, and especially during Nawruz festival.
Travelling to the Site
The town of Vamar is situated on a Pamir Highway connecting Dushanbe to Khorog. Adventurer tourists coming from the east can reach Rushan via Bartang valley. They would need to follow the narrow automobile road which diverges from Pamir Highway at the Junction of Karakul-Aqtash in Murgab district.
The town of Vamar has a small airport that used to receive regular flights in the Soviet period. Mountaineer alpinists, geologists, and other explorers used to take took a flight from Dushanbe to Rushan, and from there to the Yazgulom, Bartang valley. Therefore, the town of Vamar can be used as a base camp for visitors planning trips further to Sarez lake, and other destination further in the GBAO.
The town of Vamar has a small airport that used to receive regular flights in the Soviet period. Mountaineer alpinists, geologists, and other explorers used to take took a flight from Dushanbe to Rushan, and from there to the Yazgulom, Bartang valley. Therefore, the town of Vamar can be used as a base camp for visitors planning trips further to Sarez lake, and other destination further in the GBAO.