Murad Khani Old Quarter

Murad Khani is a historic residential quarter in Kabul's Old City, on the south side of the river, noted for its timber-framed houses with carved wooden balconies and screened windows. By the 2000s much of the neighbourhood had fallen into ruin after decades of conflict and neglect, and a restoration programme supported by Turquoise Mountain brought back houses, lanes and courtyards while training local craftspeople in traditional woodwork, calligraphy, ceramics and jewellery. Visitors walking the restored lanes can see the layered brickwork, intricately carved doors and upper-storey balconies, and in several places visit workshops where craftspeople are at work, with products for sale. The quarter is quieter than the nearby bazaars and offers a good sense of what the Old City looked like before the late twentieth century. A visit takes about one hour, with additional time if a workshop demonstration is in progress. Workshop opening hours vary but are generally daily from roughly 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Morning is the best time, with calmer lanes and good light for photography of carved facades. Entry to the lanes is free, and crafts can be bought directly, usually at fixed or lightly negotiable prices. Visitors should dress modestly, ask before photographing residents and keep to public lanes, since many houses are private homes. The quarter lies about ten minutes on foot from Mandawi Bazaar, so it combines naturally with a bazaar visit and Pul-e Khishti Mosque. Lanes can be narrow and uneven, and local advice on current conditions should be sought before heading in.