Overview
Welcome to the mother of the cities of the world
Balkh - ‘the mother of the cities of the world’, the land of Rumi, Ibn Sina, Naser Khosrow, and Rabia Balkhi. If you are interested in mysticism, poetry, and stories and also visiting historical and traditional places, then travel to Balkh. Most of the streets, neighborhoods, schools, and universities, even the airport, are named after the native poets and writers.
Whilst in Balkh visit the Abbey of Rumi, the Eastern Sufi, mystic and poet. Bring his spiritual Masnavi book home with you. Go to the tomb of Rabia Balkhi, the first Persian-speaking woman poet, and listen to the story of her falling in love with her brother’s slave and how her brother killed her for this love. Her brother was the ruler of Balkh.
The Khurasan people (Persians) had their own religion before the arrival of Islam in the province. They were Zoroastrians who were fire and sun worshippers. Zoroaster was born and lived in Balkh. So while here visit the first mosque of Afghanistan, Haji Piyada, which was originally the fire temple of Zoroaster.
Visit Balkh Hesar which was once the ruling centre of the Persian Empire and was burned by Genghis Khan. Then go to the tomb of Mulla Mohammad Jan and hear the story of two lovers caught between class systems, to the mosque of Kwaja Parsai Wali and the tomb of the Sheth the Prophet.
Take a trip to Takht-e-Rostam, an incredible giant stone stupa carved into the mountaintop. Visit the Bazaar and the Inn of the pagans who used to come to the stupa to worship. Listen to the tragic story of Rostam and his son Sohrab.
Of course, a visit to this area would not be complete without seeing the Blue Mosque of Mazar-e-Sharif. Standing out like a blue gem in the Balkh Ring with its traditional architecture and blue tiles, this is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city. Persian poems and verses of the Holy Quran are decorated on its tiles, a testament to the great interest these people have in poetry.
