SWAT MUSEUM

The Swat Museum is located on the main road Mingora-Saidu Sharif. It has an extensive collection of Gandhara sculptures found at various Buddhist sites in the region. Built in 1958 with the collaboration of the Italian Archaeology Mission, it was damaged first in 2005 during an earthquake and then again in 2009 during an explosion when the region was in Taliban hands. Closed for seven years, it reopened in 2014. Very well arranged, the museum includes nine rooms framing a small garden. There are sculptures and bas-reliefs telling the story of Buddha's life, jewellery, ancient coins, terracotta statues, weapons, embroidered clothing, as well as various other objects, material witnesses to the rich history of the Swat Valley.