The King's Palace

Most Americans have heard of the Taliban.  Many of us are also familiar with Afghanistan's current government, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) and President Hamid Karzai, but few are aware that, until 1973, Afghanistan was governed by a monarchy.

One of the last remaining remnants of that monarchy, led by King Mohammad Zahir Shah, are the ruins of the Darul Aman Palace (aka King's Palace).  While passing near the site of the King's Palace recently, I caught these amazing pictures.

The King's Palace, from a distance.

 The King's Palace, view from the North.

 The King's Palace, view from the South.

 The King's Palace, a closer view from the South.

The King's Palace, crowned by a double rainbow.

The Darul Aman Palace, which means "abode of peace," along with the (not shown) Tajbeg Palace, or Queen's Palace, is located about ten miles outside of Kabul's city center.  Built during the 1920s, the structure's neoclassical architecture is, as far as I know, unique in Kabul.

After the monarchy fell during a bloodless coup d'etat in 1973, both palaces were used for various purposes, but today remain unoccupied due to heavy damage sustained during the past 30+ years of war.  Most recently, it was announced that private donations would refurbish the Darul Aman Palace and it would be used as the seat of the Afghan Parliament.  To date, no progress has been made and the palace's shell remains as a bitter reminder of other (perhaps, better?) times and decades of war.