Murad Khani Old Quarter

Murad Khani is a historic quarter in Kabul's Old City, on the north bank of the Kabul River near the Shor Bazaar area. Its houses, largely dating to the 19th century and early 20th century, are built in the traditional Kabuli manner: timber-framed walls infilled with mudbrick, with carved wooden balconies, shutters and doors facing narrow lanes and small courtyards. The quarter is named after a local landowner or figure of earlier centuries, and it was long home to merchants, craftspeople and notable families.

By the early 2000s the district was badly neglected. Decades of war had damaged many buildings, others were collapsing, and the area was threatened by demolition and encroachment. A restoration programme began in the mid-2000s, led by the Turquoise Mountain Foundation with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and Afghan partners, to stabilise buildings, clear rubble, rebuild lanes and train local craftspeople in traditional woodworking, calligraphy, ceramics and jewellery. The project is widely regarded as a landmark of heritage conservation in Afghanistan.

What visitors see today is a compact network of restored houses, workshops and lanes, where carved wooden screens and ornamented doorways are the main architectural attractions. Some buildings contain craft studios and cultural spaces, and the quarter has also hosted educational and training activities. The scale is intimate, so exploring is mostly a matter of walking and looking at facades rather than visiting formal museum rooms.

Signage is limited and many buildings are private or in institutional use, so entry to specific premises depends on the occupant. Visitors should show respect for residents, ask before photographing people, and follow local guidance about access. Hours are informal and tend to follow daylight and local working patterns.