Altit Fort   Altit   Hunza Valley

Altit Fort is situated in the village of Altit, about 3 km from Karimabad. It has been built on a sheer rock-cliff that falls 300 meters (1000 feet) into the Hunza River, and is much older than the Baltit Fort.

View of Altit fort, with the central town to the right and below the fort. The extreme gullies, sharp drop-off, and location high above the river made this settlement highly defensible and an older settlement than many in the central valley.Altit fort is located in Altit a historic village on the eastern side of Karimabad across the Ultar stream at a distance of 2.5 km.The historical monument is above 900 years old which still has the appearance of historical palace, defensive fort and also contains colonial features. The fort is unique for its location of site on the Hunza River, immediately on the north is the traditional settlement with a common space and a waterreservoir in front of it.The fort is sited on a two rocks; the eastern rock is higher as compared to the western rock. The fort has been constructed in six different stages by using the various natural levels of the rock. The first level is located before the western side edge of the rock, which is containing a two floor building built in the first stage of the construction .The second level, contains a single floor building which was also constructed in the first stage of construction. These were built over 900 years ago. A three floor watch tower was constructed during the second and third stages of construction.
The Main entrance faces Ultar and opens into the ground floor narrow dark corridor which leads to a space with two small storage spaces inside it located on the east and western side. The main space contains a rectangular structure which physically seems a supporting structure made of rubble stone and cribbage frames has a story related to it. The ground floor corridor further leads westward to a stair made of rubble stone masonry which connects it to the first floor. The first floor contains the royal kitchen which has the richest carving patterns on the column and the capitals. This kitchen used to be full of activities during the cooking of food for the agricultural festivals.
Altit Fort was donated by Prince Amin Khan to the Aga Khan Foundation for conservation in 2001. Emergency repairs were carried out in 2001; initial documentation has been initiated in 2002 and will be continued in 2003.