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Forbes
12-07-2025
- Forbes
Lahore's 400-Year-Old ‘Picture Wall' To Be Fully Restored This Year
An aerial panoramic view of the Lahore Fort, in Lahore, Pakistan. getty Urbanization can be harsh and rather cruel when it comes to age-old heritage sites which stand as a city's jewels. It erodes away the inheritance of cultural lineage, identity and history that belongs to future generations, its rightful recipients. One of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in the city of Lahore, is the Lahore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Pakistan. Built in the historic Walled City, this grand citadel is spread over 20 hectares, dating back to 1556 when it was spearheaded under the watchful eye of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. The Mirror Palace, also known as Sheesh Mahal, at the Lahore Fort, in Pakistan. getty Because of its magnificent repertoire of Mughal architecture and exquisite craftsmanship, the fort was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. The late Princess Diana at the Sheesh Mahal in the Lahore Fort, during her 4-day visit to Pakistan in September 1991. Photo by Tim Graham. Getty Images However, the picture wall, which originally served as the fort's private entrance, is one of the most prominent architectural features of the site and is partly responsible for its 'world heritage' listing. Measuring approximately 1,560 feet in length and 60 feet in height, the wall encompasses over 100,000 square feet of 'decorative surface,' and is considered one of the largest murals in the world. One of the world's largest murals, part of the Lahore Fort in Pakistan. getty Featuring over 3,000 glazed tile mosaics, fresco panels, intricate filigree and brickwork, the wall also encompasses vivid and colorful illustrations of angels and demons, humans and birds, hunting and battle scenes, not to mention plentiful floral and geometric motifs. However, over time, certain sections of the picture wall fell to ruin. This has been primarily due to the wall's waterspouts (installed during the British Raj), which caused a discharge of monsoon rainwater, resulting in deep erosion and damage. A section of the Lahore Fort's magnificent picture wall. getty At the start of 2018, the conservation of the fort's iconic picture wall was spearheaded by the Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan (AKCS-P), in partnership with the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA). From in-depth investigations and assessments of the sections featuring the most wear and tear, a thorough restoration plan was devised and subsequently executed. Rahatullah, a conservator, retouching a fresco panel, part of the picture wall. Zeina Naseer 'In Pakistan, conservation projects usually overlook the vital role of science in heritage preservation,' states Zeina Naseer, an AKCS-P Conservation Scientist. 'The conservation of the picture wall, however, has heavily relied on utilizing innovations and technologies in conservation science. Good conservation practice demands a harmonious union of science and artistry. It compels us to recognize that the master artisans of the past, like those who created the picture wall, were not only artists, but also scientists, engineers, and architects. Today, the duty of the conservator is not just to preserve their legacy but also to revive that lost wisdom.' Zeina Naseer, a Conservation Scientist and Project Lead at the AKCS-P, assessing the reconstruction of the parapet wall at the Lahore Fort. Umair Tariq Since the commencement of the picture wall's restoration, a truly groundbreaking project, the initiative is set to finally conclude towards the tail-end of this year, after seven laborious years. On the left: a fresco panel after conservation and reotuching. On the right: a fresco panel before conservation and reotuching. Zeina Naseer Working in tandem with artisans in the city, Tausif Khawaja, the CEO of the Aga Khan Cultural Services in the country, mentioned that the picture wall project couldn't have been executed without the inclusion of skilled craftspeople from local communities. 'Employing [artisans] gives them an opportunity to receive training which enables skill transfer to future generations. This helps to add to the skillset of both skilled and semi-skilled individuals, allowing them to become more economically mobile.' Young conservators consolidating a tile panel at the picture wall. Zeina Naseer Uncovering significant archaeological structures from the Sikh and British periods, discovered during the delicate excavation work right at the start of the project, these pieces are now part of a curated exhibit for the fort's visitors. Above: a panel made in cut brickwork and inlaid glazed tiles before reconstruction at the picture wall. Below: after restoration. Zeina Naseer 'Restoring the picture wall has been an intense and humbling emotionally, and intellectually. This wasn't just restoration, it was a test of intuition, patience, and a deep respect for heritage,' Wajahat Ali, the Director Conservation & Design Insights at the AKCS-P, reveals. Intricate glazed tile mosaics, filigree work and frescoes feature prominently across the 400-year-old picture wall at the Lahore Fort. getty 'We chose to take our time, even when there was pressure to go faster, because heritage deserves thoughtful care, not hurried short-cuts.'
RTHK
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTHK
Lights, camera, action as Walled City show lives on
Lights, camera, action as Walled City show lives on Officials at the launch of the 'Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey' exhibition. Photo: RTHK Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says the show at the Kowloon Walled City Park is much bigger than two earlier versions. Photo: RTHK SAR tourism officials and film veterans on Friday hailed the launch of a new exhibition that allows people to take a deep dive into iconic 1980s life at Kowloon Walled City using replica movie sets, saying the attraction will create new economic benefits. The launch of the three-year show – "Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey" – came after the government on Tuesday unveiled a total of nine tourism hotspots, including the exhibition, to woo tourists for in-depth tours. In an opening ceremony for the exhibition, Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk said the show – which is located at Kowloon Walled City Park, the site of the original slum city – is much bigger than two earlier versions of the exhibition that were held at the airport and Kai Tak. The exhibition features replica movie sets from last year's "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In" hit film. "The film scene exhibition not only attracts more visitors to the park but also connects to scenic spots in Kowloon City, such as the Kai Tak Sports Park, urban views and Thai-style cuisine in the district," Cheuk said. "Through various tourist routes within the area, tourists can experience the authentic culture of Hong Kong and taste different delicacies. "At the same time, this can boost consumption in the area and create economic benefits." The exhibition is the third to feature the hit movie and will present more iconic sets from the film, including a barber, tailor and fish-ball shops as well as a bing sutt precursor to today's cha chan teng. Visitors will be able to explore the exhibition using interactive technology to experience the lives of residents living in the walled city back in the 1980s. Officials will also roll out designs using augmented technology in the district from the third quarter of this year. Hong Kong Film Development Council chairman Wilfred Wong said the show will allow visitors to learn more about Hong Kong's history. He added that large projection screens installed on rooftops will give people a sense of what days and nights are like living in Kowloon Walled City, with special sound effects, such as of planes reverberating over the district.
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Water tank set to house rooftop eatery
A 19th-century water tank located near the Ghanta Ghar in Multan is likely to be transformed into a rooftop restaurant as part of efforts to preserve and repurpose the city's heritage. According to Multan Walled City Project Assistant Director Umair Ghazanfar, conservation work at the site is under way and expected to be completed within four months. The massive iron tank, standing on sturdy steel columns that has been visible to generations of the city's residents, has long been a landmark of the area. Constructed during the British rule, the tank dates back to 1888, the year when Multan was granted the status of a town committee. Measuring approximately 70 feet in length and 45 feet in width, the tank had the capacity of storing around 400,000 gallons of water. Despite its imposing above-ground structure, nearly 75 per cent of its height lies below the surface, highlighting the depth and strength of its foundation, said walled city guide Amir Bashir. Umair Ghazanfar shared that extensive structural repairs were being undertaken. "Where the iron has rusted away, new plates will be installed. We are working on two proposals -- one is to convert it into a rooftop restaurant, and the other is to allow visitors access to the top, similar to how Damdama, the highest part of Fort Kohna Multan, has been made accessible to tourists," he explained. "However, the priority is to develop it into a rooftop restaurant, which would offer a unique blend of heritage and modern experience," the official stated. The tank had fallen out of use over the previous decades.
