Herat’s Most Resilient War Survivors, its Historical Monuments, Shaken by Nature

Already vulnerable and neglected, many of the extant monuments and heritage in Herat have withstood the test of time, bearing silent witness to decades of war, conflict, and disasters. But the recent deadly earthquake might have stressed them beyond tolerable.

For many in the historic city of Herat, the powerful magnitude-6.3 quake on early Wednesday was a horrific reminder of the unease that continues to distress the city after the initial quake last week. Another tremor also shook Herat earlier on October 15, bringing the total of quakes to seven, according to the UN.