Description of the attraction
The Taj Bek (Great Crown) Palace was erected in the 20s of the 20th century by order of Khan Amanullah. It is located about 16 km from the center of Kabul. Not far from the castle, during construction, the remains of the ruins of the ancient palace of the Timurid queen were discovered, which have survived to this day.
The stately mansion sits atop a hill in the foothills where the royal family hunted and held picnics. The house of Afghan rulers is one of the most impressive landmarks, created during the Amanullah era by a team of European architects.
On December 27, 1979, the USSR invaded Afghanistan. In the evening of the same day, Soviet special forces and the military launched a special operation "Storm-333", stormed the palace and killed President Amin, who lived there, and his 11-year-old son died of shrapnel wounds. The USSR appointed Babrak Karmal as Amin's successor. During the war in Afghanistan, the palace was the headquarters of one of the armies. The complex was badly damaged after the withdrawal of Soviet troops, when various groups of mujahideen fought for control of Kabul after the fall of the government of President Najibullah.
With collapsed roofs and bullet holes in crumbling walls, the palace has become a symbol of failed attempts to bring peace to the war-torn country. While much of Kabul has been renovated, the Taj Bek remains in ruins. The former home of the royal family is now covered in graffiti and has become a haven for stray dogs, snakes and scorpions.
In 2012, the President of the country launched a fundraising campaign for the restoration of the building. He proposed a reconstruction plan, according to which the palace could become a museum and a venue for national ceremonies. Some Afghans have suggested leaving the complex as it is now, as a reminder of the terrible destruction caused by the war unleashed. The restoration plan is far from complete, as military conflicts continue in Afghanistan.
