Turquoise Mountain

Turquoise Mountain is the former Afghan capital from the Middle Ages. The Minerat of Jam stands where the capital once existed and it is believed to have been a major Judeo-Persian trading route in its heyday. Author Rory Stewart visited the remains while walking through Afghanistan and writes about it in his excellent book, 'The Places In Between'.

Turquoise Mountain Foundation was established in 2006 and is an NGO funded largely by charity funds of Prince Charles of Wales. Rory Stewart served on the board until his election to Scottish parliament. Turquoise Mountain is an NGO but also a cultural center and shop. It hosts four schools of arts (including calligraphy, wood-works, gem-cutting and ceramics) and sells the beautiful works of its artisans. Turqoise Mountain hosted the production of 'The Little Prince' and while we didn't arrive early enough to check out the shops, we were able to admire the fruits of labor that were evident in the architecture and building details.