Herat museum in western Afghanistan draws 16,000 visitors in one year
Ancient relics spanning 20,000 years attract tourists to Afghanistan’s second-largest museum, though lack of resources threatens preservation
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — More than 16,000 domestic and international tourists visited the Herat Museum over the past year, according to local officials, highlighting growing interest in one of Afghanistan’s most significant cultural institutions.
Located in the western province of Herat, the museum is home to over 500 artifacts spanning thousands of years—from the Stone Age to the Timurid era. Officials say the site is playing a growing role in cultural tourism despite ongoing preservation concerns.
According to TOLOnews, the Herat Directorate of Information and Culture said it is working to increase visitor numbers annually through new programming and outreach.
“Over the past year, more than 16,000 domestic and international tourists visited the Herat Museum and became familiar with its rich culture and historical heritage,” said Abdul Jabbar Noorzai, the museum’s director.
“We are implementing programs aimed at increasing the number of visitors year by year.”
Visitors often combine trips to the museum with tours of Qala-e-Ikhtiyaruddin, the historic Ikhtiyaruddin Fortress.
“Tourists come in groups, and even foreign travelers visit to see the historical artifacts,” said visitor Abdul Qayoom Taheri.
“The place is peaceful, and both the fortress and museum are worth seeing.”
Out of nearly 3,000 historical items in the museum’s collection, only 500 are currently on display due to limited space and outdated facilities.
Experts warn that the building’s humidity and poor infrastructure are putting Afghanistan’s cultural heritage at risk.
“The current museum suffers from environmental issues that threaten the preservation of artifacts,” said historical preservation expert Abdul Qayoom Waziri. “A modern facility is urgently needed.”
The Herat Museum is considered the second-largest in the country after the National Museum in Kabul.
Its collection includes relics from the Samanid, Ghaznavid, Seljuk, and contemporary periods, with some items believed to be up to 20,000 years old.
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