In 2003, I visited Kabul and stood before the haunting ruins of Darul Aman Palace. Once a symbol of modernity, built by King Amanullah Khan in the 1920s, it had suffered extensive destruction during decades of conflict. The sight of its charred walls and crumbling façade filled me with a profound sense of loss for its splendid past. I longed to see it restored to its former glory.

Years later, dedicated Afghan engineers and architects undertook the monumental task of reconstruction. By 2019, the palace was fully restored, showcasing its neoclassical beauty once more. Witnessing this transformation filled me with hope for Afghanistan’s future and a desire to revisit this majestic site in its renewed form.

Photo credit restored building: Qasim Mirzaie at pixel.com