Diamond in the tourist crown of the East. The beauty of the ancient world: Azerbaijan (Sheki)

Most tourists visiting the country mainly focus their attention on its capital - Baku. But Azerbaijan is not only its megalopolis. Sheki is very often undeservedly ignored. But this small city can rightfully be considered a tourist pearl of the Greater Caucasus. The settlement and its environs are full of historical monuments and artifacts. The city, located at an altitude of 700 m above sea level, is surrounded by picturesque gorges, valleys, alpine meadows and waterfalls. The beauty of ancient monuments combined with wildlife will have a truly powerful impression on a person who is even very familiar with Eastern culture.

City `s history

The first mention of Sheki dates back to the 8th century BC. E. Then this territory was called Sakasen (Sake) in honor of the Iranian Saka tribe. Much later, it became part of the Caucasian Albania, and the name of the town was transformed into Shaka. Having adopted a new faith from Armenians in the IV century, Albanians left several monuments of Christian culture in the vicinity of Sheki.

In the 7th century the army of the Caliphate conquered the territory now belonging to the modern state known as Azerbaijan. Sheki as a result of the Arab-Khazar war repeatedly suffered destruction, even to the weakening of the power of the Arabs in the IX century. But even then the city was returned to itself by the Albanian rulers, then the Shirvanshahs, or other conquerors, were captured. And only in the XVIII century the territory with the city of Sheki as a capital became an independent Khanate. To the Russian Empire it was annexed in 1805.

The historical and architectural complex "Caravanserai" (XVIII - XIX centuries).

The city is at the intersection of trade routes. Overseas merchants stopped in it for rest and visited local bazaars. For their convenience was designed and built a kind of hotel complex, which is definitely worth a visit, visiting the sights of Sheki. Azerbaijan is the territory through which one of the highways of the famous Great Silk Road passed , so caravanserais were built in such cities as Baku, Shemakha and Sheki.

The lower part of the architectural monument is called "Ashagi" and is a large rectangular courtyard with a swimming pool in the center. 242 rooms for the guests were equipped with hatches, through which merchants could go down to the warehouse and personally check the safety of their goods. Today "Ashagi" has rooms for tourists, equipped with modern technology, luxury rooms and a comfortable restaurant.

The upper caravanserai, "Yuhary", which has a more complex architectural design, has now become a museum. Three hundred rooms are filled with old exhibits, helping visitors to plunge into the atmosphere of antiquity.

Palace of Sheki Khans (XVIII century)

The summer residence, built on the orders of Magomed Hasan-khan, admires and permanently captures the view of foreigners who have come to Azerbaijan. Sheki was once visited by Alexander Dumas, Leo Tolstoy, commander Nikolai Raevsky, French geographer Jacques Elise Reclus and other celebrities who delightfully described the palace as the greatest asset of the city.

The Sheki Khan's residence is one of the best examples of classical oriental architecture, which has always captivated the imagination with the grandeur of appearance and the luxury of interior decoration. It strikes all: the patterned facade of the architectural treasure, which is decorated with scenes of battles and hunting, huge mosaic stained-glass windows, openwork stone lattices.

Expressing his admiration, the Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet argued that the Palace of Sheki Khans would allow the people to be proud of this value, even if the Azerbaijanis had no other outstanding architectural monuments.

The fortress of Gelyarsan-Gerarsan (VIII-IX cc.)

Another significant historical monument is the fortress of Gelarsan-Gerarsan near Sheki (Azerbaijan). The history of the building explains the meaning of the translation of the name of the fortress: "you will come - you will see." Having rebelled against the conquest of native lands by the Iranian khan Nadirshah, the fighter for independence Haji Chelebi kept defense in the fortress. On the offer of Khan to surrender, he mysteriously replied "you will come - you will see." As a result, the Iranian army was defeated. The people remembered the bold words of their hero and immortalized them in the name of the stronghold. Today, the walls of the Gelyarsan-Gerarsan have lost their invulnerability under the influence of time, but they still look majestic.

Sheki city (Azerbaijan): surroundings

The small mausoleum of Babaratma-piri near the town of Sheki, located on the site of a centuries-old cemetery, has become famous for its ability to heal illnesses, and therefore we honor pilgrims from all over the country.

In the vicinity of the city (Ilsu village) the Sumug fortress was preserved. An ancient legend says that the battle tower of the sultan Daniyal-bek was built at the place of execution of concubines who dared to be unfaithful to their master. The building has a rich history connected with real historical events.

Mineral springs of Marhal

Lovers of the majestic mountain landscapes, who came to Sheki (Azerbaijan), must visit Naval village of Marhal. It was famous in the 80 years of the XX century due to its mineral springs that come to the surface. Here tourists are waiting for boarding houses and recreation centers, as well as crystal clear medicinal water.

7 km from the village you can admire another wonderful place. The mountain plateau Khan, located at a high altitude, intoxicates with pure mountain air and the aroma of flowers.

Ancient Albanian temple (1st century)

Church of St. Elisha in the village of Kish - miraculously preserved Christian artifact of Transcaucasia. Historians believe that the initiator of his erection was the apostle Elisha. Till now the church admires with the beauty. The air inside her remains cool even in a strong heat, and everything around seems to breathe deep antiquity. In the courtyard of the temple there is an ancient burial. Through the transparent dome, which covers it, you can see the ancient bones. Apparently, these remains belong to Christian ministers and holy people, who deserved the honor to rest in the line of God's house. Lovers of secrets and mysterious stories will find confirmation of their theories in these archaic walls.

The sea, mountains, forests, a fertile climate - nature generously endowed Azerbaijan. Sheki is a special place, surprising and attracting with its special color, relaxed pace of life, cozy atmosphere, historical monuments, hospitality of hosts and unique delicious cuisine.