Altit Fort

The fort is sited on a two rocks; the eastern rock is higher as compared to the western rock. The fort has been constructed in six different stages by using the various natural levels of the rock. The first level is located before the western side edge of the rock, which is containing a two floor building built in the first stage of the construction.The second level, contains a single floor building which was also constructed in the first stage of construction. These were built over 800 years ago. A three floor watch tower was constructed during the second and third stages of construction while the storage space was constructed during the third stage of construction. The mosque was constructed during the fourth stage of construction. A grain storage was constructed during the fifth stage of construction. In the sixth stage of construction the guest rooms were constructed after removing the grain storage located on the eastern side of the rock. Narrow corridors are used for accessing the construction at lower levels, while the mosque the storage area and the guest rooms can be easily accessed from the watch tower. The Main entrance faces Ulter and opens into the ground floor narrow dark corridor which leads to a space with two small storage spaces inside it located on the east and western side. The main space contains a rectangular structure which physically seems a supporting structure made of rubble stone and cribbage frames has a story related to it. The story is of a prince who has been buried in standing position inside the structure; he was killed by his father after believing of his son's involvement in a plan against his kingdom. The ground floor corridor further leads westward to a stair made of rubble stone masonry which connects it to the first floor. The first floor contains the royal kitchen which has the richest carving patterns on the column and the capitals. This kitchen used to be full of activities during the cooking of food for the agricultural festivals. On the eastern side of the Royal Kitchen there is a lobby with a skylight containing the main door of the corridor which is laid out north south. The space located at the northern edge of the corridor is the royal room which is a traditional house with the spaces for sleeping, sitting, cooking, and two small storage spaces, a toilet and storage space on the south side of the room. The space at the south edge is the Royal Rani's (Queen) Room, this has a fire place in the north wall and it has the traditional roof structure with the rotated square. From the north edge of the corridor further is the corridor which is laid out east west ward leads to stairs made of rubble stone masonry. After climbing these stairs there is the three floor watch tower constructed. The storage space is located at the south side of the tower and it is located at the higher level of the rock. The mosque, the royal throne and the guest rooms are at the north side of the watch tower with a minor level difference. Structurally the watch tower is rich in features containing cribbage work and mud brick infill, with windows looking in all directions. The royal throne is placed in front of the mosque on the eastern side with a panoramic view of the Altit settlement.   Woodcarving detail; board with floral ornaments and swastika motifs   Woodcarving detail; triangles and squares on a post in the darbar hall of the fort   Woodcarving detail; wooden panel with paisley motif   Interior view of main room, with carved wooden pier   Interior view of main room   View from gallery, close to the entrance to the shikari tower   Interior view of room with carved wooden post and wooden ceiling   Interior view prior to restoration, showing temporary shoring   Apricot orchard belonging to the fort   Exterior view of small corner tower; the village is seen in valley below   Exterior view of main tower, as accessed from the west   General view, with village   The vertical cliff of the fort as seen from the riverside, with the village and fort on the high plateau   View of village from fort, looking north   Carved wooden door of rooftop room south of the main tower   Main tower, west elevation with door, as seen from the fort roof   Main tower, west elevation, as seen from the terrace of the western wing. The open skylight of a room is seen on the roof   Main tower, west elevation, as seen from the terrace of the western wing. The open skylight of a room is seen on the roof   Carved wooden window at the base of the main tower   Base of the main tower (left) and adjoining room   View looking northwest along the terrace facing the village to the northeast   Interior view of room with skylight and furnace, prior to restoration   Interior view of room with wooden beams and columns, prior to restoration   View along corridor with window 

Distant view from south, showing the fort's tower on a clifftop (center) with the Karakoram mountains in the background Distant view from south, showing the fort's tower on a clifftop with the Hunza River seen below Elevated view from south, showing the fort's tower on top of cliff descending down to the Hunza River General view from south, showing the fort's tower on top of cliff descending down to the Hunza River General view from south, showing the fort's tower on top of cliff descending down to the Hunza River Elevated view from south, showing the fort's tower on top of cliff descending down to the Hunza River Elevated view from southeast, showing the fort's tower on top of cliff descending down to the Hunza River Elevated view from southeast, showing the fort's tower on top of cliff descending down to the Hunza River Exterior view from northeast Exterior view from northeast Exterior view from north Exterior view from northwest, showing the main entrance Exterior view from northwest, showing the main entrance Exterior view from northwest, showing the main entrance Exterior view from northwest, showing the main entrance Partial exterior view from southwest showing masonry wall along cliff and secondary entrance Partial exterior view from southwest showing masonry wall along cliff and secondary entrance Exterior view from southeast, showing main tower atop cliff General view from east, showing fort on cliff overlooking the Hunza valley (left), and terraced hillside with steps leading up to the village plateau General view from east, showing fort on cliff overlooking the Hunza valley (left), and terraced hillside with steps leading up to the village plateau General view from east, showing fort on cliff overlooking the Hunza valley (left), and terraced hillside with steps leading up to the village plateau   General view from southeast showing fort atop cliff   General view from east showing fort atop cliff   Elevated view from northeast, showing fort overlooking village on plateau  Elevated view from northeast, showing fort overlooking village on plateau atop cliff descending down to the Hunza River behind Elevated view from northeast, showing fort overlooking village on plateau atop cliff descending down to the Hunza River behind Elevated view from northeast, showing fort overlooking village on plateau atop cliff descending down to the Hunza River behind Steps leading up to an entry porch Entry porch with carved wooden doorway and wooden roof Interior view of room with skylight, seen with temporary supports prior to restoration Interior view of room with skylight, seen with temporary supports prior to restoration Interior view of room with skylight, seen with temporary supports prior to restoration Interior view of room with skylight, seen with temporary supports prior to restoration Interior view of room with skylight, seen with temporary supports prior to restoration Interior view of room with skylight, seen with temporary supports prior to restoration Interior view of room with skylight, seen with temporary supports prior to restoration Interior view of room with skylight, seen with temporary supports prior to restoration