Altit Fort

Altit Fort is located in Altit, Upper Karimabad, on the banks of the Hunza River in Hunza District, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. It is a 900-year-old with an altitude of 1000 feet above the Hunza River. Said to be constructed by artisans from Baltistan, the fort showcases Balti architectural influence and has withstood numerous earthquakes and invasions over the centuries.

Perched on a cliff at the edge of Altit village, Altit Fort is the oldest residence of the ruling family of Hunza. From this ancient stronghold, one can overlook the entire Altit settlement and the route to China, now the Karakoram Highway. Built for strategic defense, the fort provided surveillance of both local settlements and international trade routes. Its historical architecture and placement make it a significant heritage site in the region.

The fort was built by the “Mir of Hunza” to assert his power and majesty over the “Mir” of the neighbouring state of Nagar. And since about the 11th century, it has been standing majestically on the Karakoram mountains. The “Hunting Tower” of the fort is about 900 years old, making it special and the oldest monument in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Apart from this, ancient pots and boxes of the royal family are here in different rooms. A centuries-old cooking vessel and an old wooden box with several ‘Swastika‘ symbols are here. The Swastika symbol was used in Aryan times to represent the four basic elements of air, fire, water and soil.

The royal guest houses inside the fort have been converted into a small museum. In which rare photographs related to the royal family and the Hunza are on display. On the roof above is a hunting tower, a wooden window and a small room. Outside the fort, there are beautiful ponds of green water, handicraft shops, cafes and beautiful houses.

Visitors ascend through narrow stone stairways to explore dark, labyrinthine chambers, a royal kitchen, and the sleeping quarters of the Mir of Hunza. A balcony offers sweeping views of Altit village below and the surrounding cliffs. From the rooftop, one can see the winding Karakoram Highway across the river, once watched from here to monitor trade caravans coming from China.