A journey to the capital of the Punjab Province – the city of Lahore – is an opportunity to make a “time travel”. This city has a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere of the past that makes an acquaintance with Lahore even more interesting. Having arrived in this city, travelers become witnesses how the past becomes alive, history finds its reflection in the gorgeous architecture, and poor quarters border with posh districts. In this city, gorgeous national outfits and rugs of the poor only make the contrast even more visible and striking. Lahore teaches tourists how the time can create its own intrigues, amazing and shocking guests of this Pakistani city.
According to local legends, Lahore got its name after the son of god Rama, Lava. Ancient tales say that Rama was the founder of the city. In the eleventh century, this settlement became the capital of the Ghaznavid Empire. The Fort of Lahore was finished a century later. Starting from the 20s of the 16th century and for almost two hundred years, this city belonged to Mongols. During this period, starting from 1584, Lahore was the capital of the Mughal Empire.
There are many various landmarks in Lahore that strike tourists with their grandeur. The Lahore Fort is one of the major attractions of the Pakistani city. The citadel occupies an area of almost twenty hectares. It was built at the end of the 12th century. Initially, this was the residence of Muhammad Ghori. Many different forces were trying to conquer the building because it was located at the crossing of the Persian kingdom, India, and Tibet. This fact made the castle very popular, and so many forces wanted to own it. After numerous fights for the castle, the stronghold was destroyed and repaired several times.
Nowadays, the building is made from red limestone and bricks. These materials make it even brighter and a lot more durable than in the past. To get inside, tourists need to pass through the marvelous main gate. The gate hides numerous architectural masterpieces of the Mughal Empire period. Inside, the fort has many unusual and impressive elements made from Aleppo glass that was an exotic material back in the days. The Lahore Fort looks strikingly massive from the outside, and columns surrounding the main entrance only emphasize this.
The Cathedral Church of the Resurrection is one of the most beautiful religious landmarks in Lahore. This is an eye-catching cathedral that belongs to Anglican Church. The shrine is located in the heart of the city. The construction of the cathedral ended in the late 80s of the 19th century. This is a Neo-Gothic building with high spiked towers. In 1898, two more bell towers were added to the main building. However, a devastating earthquake, which happened in Lahore thirteen years later, almost completely destroyed the towers.
The west side of the cathedral has a large terrace supported by four columns. When visiting the Cathedral Church of the Resurrection, it is impossible to fail to notice strikingly beautiful stained-glass windows and frescos made in Italy. The church has big windows that let much light in. Overall, this is a spacious and very cozy building. The central part of the main hall has a beautiful altar and a pipe organ. The musical instrument was delivered to the church in the 20s of the previous century. A large crystal chandelier decorates the ceiling. The cathedral exhibits a true treasure – the ancient Taxila cross.
There is an airport fifteen kilometers away from Lahore. It serves international flights from many countries of the world. However, many tourists might find out that there are no direct flights from their home countries to Lahore. In this case, consider making a change in Dubai. The flight can last nine to ten hours. Some air carriers offer longer flights – fourteen to fifteen hours. Upon arrival at the airport, tourists need to get on the public bus that goes to the city center or find a taxi.
Sightseeing in Pakistan: things to see
Several interesting monuments and other places of interest can be found in Hyderabad, first mentions of which belong to the pre-islamic period. Qutb Shahi Fort and an old market, which is located nearby, are beautiful reminders of previous centuries. The so-called historical complex is surrounded by numerous small streets and quarters, which were also built several centuries ago. Another important landmark is located not far away from the city. This is Lake Manchar, the biggest lake in the country and the wintering ground for thousands of birds. One more ancient city that is also worth visiting is called Mohenjo-daro, which was founded more than 4,000 years ago. The city is very popular with tourists, so you will easily find a guide or an excursion that will show you old quarters of Mohenjo-daro. Ruins of an ancient citadel and a palace are among the most famous places of interest here. There is also a large exhibition hall, where visitors can see several collections dedicated to artworks and artifacts found during archaeological excavations. Within several decades the Museum of archaeology has added many precious items to its collection - ancient jewellery, ceramics, weapons and figurines.
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