The Hulbuk Fortress of Tajikistan, better known as the Hulbuk Fortress, is located in the Vose District of the Khatlon province in the south of Tajikistan. This ancient medieval citadel once protected the western gateway of the Pamir Highway close to an enormous salt mine and was an important landmark along the Great Silk Road in Central Asia.
The fortified rectangular palace can be found in modern-day Kurban-Shaid, formerly known as Hulbuk town. The city has been almost completely remodeled and expanded over a huge area – just the center alone covers 70 hectares! The Hulbuk Fortress of Tajikistan is located in the south-western section of the town and can easily be seen from the main road.
According to archaeologists, the ancient settlement was home to a variety of craftsmen. They were experts in pottery making, glass-blowing, construction work, and jewelry crafting. They were also an incredibly advanced society for their time; the Hulbuk settlement even had a plumbing system and heating pipes!
During their digs at Fortress Hulbuk, archaeologists have found a huge array of bronze and ceramic tableware, carvings, and craftsman tools. Nearly 5,000 carved paintings have been found and as many portrayed animal gods and swastikas, it is believed that the settlement at was veering more towards Zoroastrian than Islamic beliefs. Some of these relics can be found in the museum across the road from Fort Hulbuk while the rest can be found in the National Museum of Antiquities in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
At its peak during the 9th and 11th centuries, Fortress Hulbuk was the epicenter of four major metropolises in Central Asia. It also served as the seat of the Shah of Khatlon. It was built in its location to protect the enormous salt mines of Khoja Mumin that were incredibly valuable. After all, salt was one of the three most expensive resources traded at the time, along with gold and horses.
While the original Hulbuk Palace was destroyed by the Mongols and the Turks, reconstruction by the Soviets has been ongoing since the 1950s. Today, you can get an idea of what the walls, minaret, and battlements once looked like, yet the recent additions are built in the Islamic style with Koran verses carved into the entrance gate. Within the walls of the ancient citadel, there were two palaces. The first was built in the 9th and 10th centuries and the second, located slightly higher up, was built in the 11th and 12th centuries.
As excavations are still on-going, it is not possible to explore the ruins of the Khulbuk Fortress, Tajikistan, but the sight from the road is impressive enough. You can also visit the adjacent Hulbuk Fortress museum for more information on this ancient Tajik settlement. It even includes a large model of the site.
Did you know that you can combine a visit to the Hulbuk Fortress of Tajikistan with any of Paramount Journey’s other itineraries and tours in the Khatlon Valley, such as Chiluchor Chashma and Chil Dukhtaron, Tajikistan? Get in touch to start planning yours today!
