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Rehabilitation
of the National Museum of Afghanistan [2003-2004]
In March 2003, SPACH provided the museum with electricity,
thanks to a grant of $30,000 from Hellenic Aid and the technical
assistance of the CIMIC-Dutch ISAF (Lieutenant-Colonel Church,
Sergeant Major Van Hults and Sergeant Kootstra).
In November 2003, SPACH allocated $40,000 from a UNESCO/Italy
Trust Fund to reconstruct the museum roof that was finished
just before the onset of the heavy winter snow! SPACH counted
on the expertise of the engineers of the CMCOORD (Major S. Gurau).
In 2004 SPACH is working on the allocation of a grant provided
by the National Geographic Society to cover the remaining works
on the second floor.
The building is now structurally sound and weatherproof but
more funds are needed if the building and grounds are to be
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Musalla Complex, Herat [2000-2001]
The conservation works carried out by SPACH in the Musalla
Complex and completed in 2001 comprised one of the largest projects
undertaken by SPACH since its establishment. The work mainly
included: building of protective walls around the Gawhar Shad
Mausoleum and the Sultan Husain Baiqara Madrassa compounds to
protect these areas and the repair of Minaret No 4, which was
damaged by rocket fire and needed urgent attention. These two
interventions were implemented by HAFO (Helping Afghan Farmers)
and with the help of AREA ( ) the planting of more than 4,000
trees was carried out for the restoration of the Gawhar Shad
Garden.
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Abdurrazaq Mausoleum, Ghazni [2000-2001]
The mausoleum suffered from rocket attacks, artillery fire and
lack of maintenance. The straw-plaster covering its roof had
not been replaced for years, leading to leakage which damaged
the stucco work inside. Bricks had fallen out of the domes,
leaving the building exposed to the elements. All these damaged
areas have now been properly repaired. The surface of the entire
roof was covered with a thick straw-mud layer in traditional
fashion. Around 30 missing doors and windows were also replaced.
The project was efficiently implemented by Mr. Ghulam Naqshband
Rajabi, who had worked in the IsMEO-funded restoration of the
mausoleum during the 1960's.
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Tepe Sardar, Ghazni [2000]
Following the recommendations of the much respected professor,
Maurizio Taddei, who visited the site in October 1999, SPACH
undertook salvage measures to protect what remained of the site.
These measures consisted in filling with sand the space between
the rear wall of the main stupa at Tepe Sardar and the mud-brick
wall behind the stupa itself, in order to protect what remained
of the row of unbaked-clay stupas and thrones for future restoration
and research. This project was also implemented by Mr. Ghulam
Naqshband Rajabi.
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Minaret of Jam, Ghor [2000-2001]
This masterpiece of 12th-century Islamic architecture is located
at the intersection of the Jam and Harirud rivers which expose
the minaret to flooding and erosion, especially in spring.
Following the recommendations of the Afghan architect Dr. Najimi,
who visited Jam in 1995, and of the Italian architect Andrea
Bruno, who visited the site in the summer of 1999, SPACH started
the construction of a gabion wall along the Jam River in early
2000. The project was implemented by Mr. Gul Agha Karimi (Payam-e
Ghor) and was completed in early February 2000.
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Masjid-e Noh Gumbad, Balkh [1999-2000]
The strong winds that blow across the plain of Balkh continuously
threaten Masjid-e-Noh Gumbad (c.9th Century), the oldest mosque
in Afghanistan, and its protective roofing. The roof itself
protects a refined and elaborate stucco decoration that has
suffered tremendously from weather over the years.
In 1999 the protective roof had lost some of its metal sheets.
During 1999, SPACH contacted Eng. Sharif Mohammadi from the
Historical Monuments Department in Mazar-e Sharif, who supervised
local craftsmen in repairing the roof.
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