Hello Hivers! How are you all . I am doing great and exploring new places. The best part of my day is to share my travel stories with you all and to show the captures i got from my journey. This time its for Shigar Fort which is a tourist site located in Shigar Valley in Gilgit Baltistan. And is at 1 hour distance from Skardu City.
Shigar Fort, also known as Fong-Khar, meaning “Palace on the Rock,” as you can see a giant rock and on the top is the fort. The fort is generally dated to around the 17th century and was built by the Raja of Shigar from the Amacha dynasty. It was constructed using local stone, timber and mud, with the building incorporated around a huge natural rock and there was no cement or brinks but only rocks and woodThis is the origin of its name, Fong-Khar.For centuries, it served as the residence and stronghold of the Rajas and Khans of Shigar and was an important centre of local political life. All the decisions of the region were made from this fort
The fort combines traditional Balti architectural techniques with influences from the wider Himalayan and Central Asian region. Its thick stone walls, timber framework, small windows and minor details were designed for the harsh mountain environment. Which shows how houses are made in such valleys By the late 20th century, the fort had deteriorated considerably. It was carefully restored through a conservation project supported by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, while preserving its historic character.Today Shigar Fort has been transformed into a heritage property which is and museum/hotel, allowing visitors to experience traditional Balti architecture and the history of the Shigar Valley.
We left from Skardu and after approximately an hour’s drive, we reached the beautiful Shigar Fort in Shigar Valley. As soon as we arrived, we started exploring this historic place and learning about its rich history and traditional Balti architecture.
They even gave us some beautiful postcards as a little souvenir. There is also a small gift shop outside the fort, and the display itself was so beautiful. They sell all kinds of traditional items, including carpets and rugs, handmade baskets, gemstones, jewelry, and other local handicrafts.
Then we went inside the fort, where there were several small rooms to explore. We got to see the old kitchen and learn about how cooking and daily life used to work in the past. There were also many old traditional objects and pieces of jewelry preserved inside, which made the experience feel like stepping back in time.
After exploring the entire fort, we made our way back home. There was also a small restaurant nearby, where we stopped and ordered some soup and momos. We enjoyed our food and then headed back, ending our lovely day at Shigar Fort.
