STRONG ALTIT

Before being abandoned in favour of Baltit, Altit was the centre of power in the kingdom of Hunza. The fort of Altit was built in the 11th century to serve as a palace for the Hunzairs (princes), then finally transformed into a fortress in the 15th century. It was at this time that the watchtower was added to the building. To seal the links between the principalities of Hunza and Baltistan, Hunza's mir married a princess from the neighbouring kingdom. At the time, Baltistan was heavily influenced by Tibet, influences that can be found in the architecture built by the princess' craftsmen. The fort and the surrounding old village (worth a visit!) were magnificently restored by the Aga Khan Foundation in the 2000s.