About Hisor
Hisor (also written Hissar or Gissar) lies in the Hisor valley about 25 km west of Dushanbe. For some 2,000 years it was the main town of the valley, long before Dushanbe grew into the capital. Its fortress on a hill, rebuilt in recent decades behind its old brick gate, and the madrasas and caravanserai below it make Hisor the most popular half-day trip from Dushanbe.
Hisor Fortress at a glance
- Where: about 25 km (some 45 minutes by car) west of Dushanbe, 5–6 km south of the centre of Hisor town.
- Opening hours: usually daily, from about 08:00 to 17:00–18:00.
- Tickets: separate tickets for the fortress and for the Old Madrasa museum, together about 20 somoni for foreign visitors (recent reports vary).
- Time needed: 2–3 hours on site; half a day from Dushanbe.
- Best time: in the morning. There is little shade, and summer afternoons are very hot. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant.
Hisor Fortress Half-Day Trip from Dushanbe
A half-day trip to Hisor Fortress, the remains of a Silk Road caravanserai and two madrasas in the Hisor valley.
Shirkent National Park Day tour
Hike about 7 km to the dinosaur tracks of Shirkent National Park, with a picnic in the mountains.
Four Stan Tour through Central Asia
Four countries: Issyk-Kul, Almaty, Khujand, Istaravshan, Dushanbe, Samarkand, Bukhara and walled Khiva.
What to see at Hisor
- The fortress gate: the brick gateway between two round towers – the one on the 20-somoni banknote – is the oldest standing part of the fortress, though fully restored. It is usually dated to the 16th century (some sources say the 18th). The walls and towers behind it were rebuilt in recent decades, modelled on the 18th-century fortress; work was still going on in 2014, before the “3,000 years of Hisor” celebrations of 2015.
- The Old Madrasa: an Islamic school around a large courtyard, usually dated to the 16th century. Teaching ended in 1921, and its cells now hold a museum of local history and crafts.
- The New Madrasa: built later, most likely in the 18th century. Only its two-storey facade survives.
- The caravanserai: next to the Old Madrasa are the remains of a brick inn for traders built in 1808. In Soviet times much of its brick was taken away to build a theatre in Dushanbe.
- The Makhdumi Azam Mausoleum: a quiet 16th-century mausoleum near the Old Madrasa, the least altered building on the site and easy to miss.
- Weddings: especially on Sundays, couples come to the fortress for their wedding photos, and there is a wedding hall inside the walls. It is a lively scene, and part of what makes Hisor special.
A short history
People have lived on the hill for well over 2,000 years – in 2015 Tajikistan celebrated “3,000 years of Hisor” – and the valley was a staging post on the Silk Road. The fortress was destroyed and rebuilt many times. In the 18th and 19th centuries it was the seat of the beks (governors) of Hisor, for long periods independent and from 1868 part of the Emirate of Bukhara, until it was destroyed in the early 20th century. Sources disagree on how old the first fortress is.
Hisor day trip from Dushanbe
The easiest way to visit is a half-day trip from Dushanbe with a driver and guide, leaving at 08:00 to beat the heat. Our private Hisor Fortress half-day trip includes transport, the museum entrance tickets and a guide who brings the stories behind the walls to life. With more time, add a day in Shirkent National Park further west: our Shirkent day tour hikes to its dinosaur footprints.
Getting to Hisor
By car or taxi it is about 45 minutes from Dushanbe along the M41. By public transport you change twice: bus 8 to Zarnisor bazaar, a minibus to Hisor, and a shared taxi from Hisor bazaar for the last 5–6 km to the fortress, which lies south of the town centre. That is why most visitors come with a driver.
Hisor FAQ
Is Hisor worth visiting?
Yes, if you have half a day in Dushanbe. The fortress itself is largely a reconstruction, but the gate, the Old Madrasa museum, the caravanserai and the weddings make a good morning.
How long do I need?
2–3 hours on site, about 4–5 hours from Dushanbe and back.
Is it Hisor, Hissar or Gissar?
The same place. Hisor is the Tajik name, Gissar comes from the Russian spelling, and Hissar is an older English form.
Can I combine Hisor with something else?
Yes, with a walk in the Varzob valley or a day in Shirkent National Park. See all our day trips from Dushanbe.
Map of Hisor and nearby sights
Hisor Fortress with Dushanbe and the classic day trips around it: Shirkent National Park to the west, the Varzob and Takob valleys to the north and Iskanderkul in the mountains beyond. Click a marker for a photo and a short description.
Other destinations and sights near Hisor
Written by Anssi Karppinen, Central Asia Guide · Page updated