| Baltit Fort stands at some 28,000 feet above sea level | | | | ‘sky-light' in the roof. |
| in Karimabad in the Hunza valley. The fort is a unique | | | | |
| piece of architectural diversity, the foundations of | | | | The fort and the surrounding settlements are |
| which were laid some 900 years back. It represents | | | | reminders of man's imagination and perseverance in |
| not only the Hunza culture but the entire range of | | | | overcoming an adverse and hostile natural |
| ethnic groups living in the remote reaches of the | | | | environment for the purpose of survival. Legend has it |
| Himalayas. Facing Rakaposhi Peak, one of the highest | | | | a long time ago a Hunza prince went to Baltistan and |
| in the world, it is poised majestically above the present | | | | returned with a Baltit princess. She brought Baltit |
| day capital of Hunza. | | | | masons and artisans to build this fort as dowry. The |
| Located on the rocky upper level of the Hunza Hill and | | | | fort remained the palace and family home of the Mirs |
| surrounded by Ulter Bar to the east, the Hyderabad | | | | till 1960. |
| Har to the west, Mount Ulter and its subsidiary range | | | | Baltit Fort is a three-storey structure with 53 rooms. |
| to the north, it offers awe-inspiring views of the | | | | The main gate opens into a dark corridor. There are |
| glorious high mountains as well as a bird's eye view of | | | | guest rooms, kitchens, storerooms, prisons and living |
| the villages in the valley. | | | | rooms attached to this corridor. A wooden staircase |
| | | | goes up through a square opening in the floor above. |
| Baltit Fort has great historical, cultural and symbolic | | | | |
| value for the local community. Historically, it was the | | | | The fort is the best spot to view the famous peak of |
| seat of the Mirs of Hunza, a family that ruled the | | | | Rakaposhi that rises straight out of cultivated fields |
| region for centuries. Culturally, with some buildings | | | | and reaches 7,788 metres in the sky. |
| dating back to the 12th century, it is a testimony of the | | | | Behind the fort, the Karakoram has its series of |
| architectural progress of the region. | | | | needle-sharp peaks. The most famous of them is |
| The main building is an imposing stone structure with | | | | Lady's Finger. Locals call it Bulbuli's peak after a |
| intricately detailed timber features. Its structural design | | | | legendary Hunza princess. The peak is so steep that |
| is a significant example of Pakistan's diverse heritage, | | | | snow slides off it. The black peak stands in contrast |
| reflecting distinct Tibetan influence such as a Tibetan | | | | with its snow-covered neighbours. |