Italy, UNESCO launch emergency restoration of Mazar-e-Sharif’s Blue Mosque after earthquake

Italy and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have launched an emergency restoration project to protect the historic Blue Mosque (Rawza) in Mazar-e-Sharif after it was damaged in a recent earthquake.

The Italian Embassy in Afghanistan said the initiative is designed to safeguard one of the country’s most important cultural heritage sites while also creating employment opportunities for local communities involved in the restoration work.

The restoration effort follows a powerful magnitude-6.3 earthquake that struck Afghanistan on November 3, 2025, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 530 others. The quake caused damage to homes, public buildings and several historic structures, including parts of the centuries-old Blue Mosque.

In a statement posted on its official X account on Thursday, the embassy said the project demonstrates the shared commitment of Italy and the United Nations to support the Afghan people and preserve Afghanistan’s rich cultural heritage.

The Blue Mosque, also known as the Rawza of Mazar-e-Sharif, is one of Afghanistan’s most renowned religious and historical landmarks, drawing thousands of worshippers and visitors each year.

Located in the heart of Balkh province in northern Afghanistan, the centuries-old shrine is celebrated for its striking Timurid-era architecture and is widely regarded as one of the country’s most significant cultural and architectural treasures.

The emergency restoration project aims to stabilise and repair earthquake-related damage, helping to ensure the long-term preservation of one of Afghanistan’s most treasured historic sites for future generations.