Activities

Restoring Darwaza Khona, Afghanistan

Darwaza Khona, the 18^th century toll gate to the city of Kholm, suffered extensively as a result of a combination of two earthquakes that hit northern Afghanistan (5.9 Richter on 14 May 2011 and 5.7 Richter on 21 March 2011) and exceptional heavy rains (May 2010). The monument is the only toll gate left in the area and a landmark on the historical trade-route between Bokhara and Kabul.

The impact of the natural disasters on the gate made the structure of the monument very weak and dangerous for its users. Intervention was urgently needed before the upcoming winter would aggravate the situation beyond repair and also to prevent pieces of material from collapsing onto passers-by using the road. Therefore the Prince Claus Fund is currently supporting AFIR architects and planners to restore the entrance gate with an amount of € 26,500,-.

A community-driven initiative will revive one of the original functions of the gate as a water and refreshment distribution point for users of the road and thereby generate income for the local community while enhancing the significance of the building. Although freezing temperatures have slowed down the work, the restoration team is still working ahead of schedule and the activities are expected to finish on 1 May 2012.

The Darwaza Khona played and will play an important social role for the people of Kholm and its surroundings. Anne Feenstra, AFIR architects and planners, Kabul and Kholm