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Top 12 photographs of the historic Baltit Fort, Hunza

Baltit Fort is a more than 700 years old historical building located in the Hunza Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan. The Baltit Fort used to be the seat of governance for the chieftains, locally called Mirs, who ruled the now defunct state for thousands of years. Before moving to the Baltit Fort, the rulers of Hunza used to live in the Altit Fort, located within 5 kilometers.

In 1954 the Mirs of the Hunza state abandoned the Baltit Fort and moved to their modern palace constructed in the vicinity. Over a period of almost half of a century, the Baltit Fort lost its glory and its condition had started deteriorating. However, the Baltit Fort was restored to its present glory by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture through a painstaking process of restoration work spread over several years.

Today it stands as a symbol of the region’s history and is one of the major tourist attractions in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

These 12 photographs, in our opinion, are the best photographs of the fort available publicly.

These have been taken from the internet and posted here under the principle of Creative Commons. Their ownership rights are reserved with the original photographers.

The Baltit Fort has been constructed at a strategic point, overlooking the entire Hunza-Nagar Valley. This provided the rulers with a vintage point from which they could keep an eye on the enemies. Photo: Imran Schah
The Baltit Fort has been constructed at a strategic point, overlooking the entire Hunza-Nagar Valley. This provided the rulers with a vintage point from which they could keep an eye on the enemies. Photo: Imran Schah
The Baltit Fort, as the name suggests, has strong links with the Balti architecture. It was constructed by Balti artisans who traveled to Hunza along with a Balti bride of the then ruler of Hunza
The Baltit Fort, as the name suggests, has strong links with the Balti architecture. It was constructed by Balti artisans who traveled to Hunza along with a Balti bride of the then ruler of Hunza
The Baltit Fort is a contender for the World Heritage Sites
The Baltit Fort is a contender for the World Heritage Sites
Illuminated at night with natural evening light glowing in the background
Illuminated at night with natural evening light glowing in the background
Covered in clouds on a rainy day
Covered in clouds on a rainy day
Standing atop the Hunza valley covered in snow during the harsh winters
Standing atop the Hunza valley covered in snow during the harsh winters
A rare aerial view of the fort captured by a para-glider
A rare aerial view of the fort captured by a para-glider
Set in a picturesque backdrop, the Baltit Fort attracts thousands of local, national and international tourists every year
Set in a picturesque backdrop, the Baltit Fort attracts thousands of local, national and international tourists every year
The grandeur of the fort is unmatched
The grandeur of the fort is unmatched
In low light
In low light
Having many dungeons and prisons, the fort was once a symbol of oppression and terror for the dissident voices in Hunza. Now it stands as a representation of the region's collective past
Having many dungeons and prisons, the fort was once a symbol of oppression and terror for the dissident voices in Hunza. Now it stands as a representation of the region’s collective past

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