Ismailli

Ismayilli

At the foot of the picturesque southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, the small but beautiful city of Ismayilli, formed in November 1931, is comfortably located. The former village of Ismayilli received the status of a city in 1967, after which Ismayilli became part of 11 cities of republican subordination. At the same time, only 5th part of the entire population of the region, in which there are 2 more urban-type settlements and 106 villages, lives in the city itself.

The rich history of this region goes back to ancient times until the Stone Age. The saturated ancient historical events of Azerbaijan certainly covered the territory of the Ismayilli region. It is known that by the end of the II or the middle of the I century BC., this region of Azerbaijan belonged to the ancient state of Caucasian Albania. The economy of the Ismayilli region is mainly based on viticulture, winemaking, agriculture and livestock, the main industry of which is sheep and cattle breeding. Of course, the diversity and contrast of the rich nature of the Ismayilli region is its main attraction, which tourists from different parts of the world want to see. 

Baskal is a village with cobbled and narrow streets, located at an altitude of 998 meters above sea level. The village is known for its ancient history and unique natural beauty. Medieval mosques are located here, the first was built in the XIth century, the second in the XIVth century. An old bathhouse dating from the XIVth century has been preserved. The village is included in the state cultural and historical reserve and is protected by the state. In contrast to the Tatian-speaking people of Lahij, located relatively close, the population of Baskal is Azerbaijani-speaking. The main attractions of the village are:

Demirchi Bazaars

A wide area is the center of the village. In the past, it was the center of the Baskal culture and trade. This square offers a beautiful panorama of the Sayad and Fit Mountains and also the surrounding forests. The only historical site of the hammam quarter dates back to the XVIIth century. Baskal was one of the stops on the Great Silk Road. Demirchi Bazaars, where caravans always stopped and traded, was a very busy place. In the quarter there is a plane tree, planted back in the XVIth century, in a huge trunk hollowed out at one time there was a teahouse, and then a hairdresser.

Kelagai Academy

Kalagai people call "flowing silk - a symbol of tenderness." This material is mysterious in itself; and the way it is born, and in its characteristics. The silk thread is incredibly thin, but at the same time incredibly strong. Silk warms and gives coolness. In a word, the ancient Azerbaijanis were right when they chose him for the female headdress - kelagai. The traditional art and symbolism of the kelagai, its manufacture and wearing were included in the UNESCO list of cultural heritage from Azerbaijan. Kelagai  is a silk scarf made of untwisted threads, hand-made, with a printed pattern made in the traditional way of reserving wax. There were kelagai for different occasions, and when it was worn, there were even age and social differences: older women wore darker colors - black, dark blue, younger ones were more bright - white, beige, bright blue, etc. Kelagai used multi-colored colors more popular. To this day, the tradition of the production of kelagai is still alive in Azerbaijan. Its center is Baskal.

Haji Badal Mosque (XIVth century)

In the mosque located in the quarter of Demirchi Bazaar, there is a crypt of Seyid Umulbanu (1488). The mosque was built by Haji Badal Mashadi with his own money. Between 1924 and 1990, the mosque was used as a barn.

 

 

Al Fagir Sheikh Safai ibn Sheikh Mohammed Mosque (XVIIth century)

This is the oldest historical site in the Kalakutcha quarter, built in 475 by Hijra Al Fagir Sheikh Safai ibn Sheikh Mohammed. In Soviet times 2 minarets and a stone inscription of a mosque were destroyed. Before the fire in 1975, the building was used as the House of Culture. Due to all the misfortunes that fell to her lot, the mosque lost its original appearance.

Ismayilli Nature Reserve
On the territory of the district is the Ismayilli Nature Reserve, established in 1981. Its area is 5778 hectares. Its two sections - Topchinsk and Galindzhinsk are located at a distance of 1 km from each other. Galindzhinsk section is located at an altitude of 650 meters and is designed to protect chestnut oak. Forests of the reserve occupy 5021 hectars, 227 hectars  are subalpine meadows. There are more than 40 tree-shrub species, 170 species of vertebrates - deer, mountain goats, Dagestan tours, wild boars, bears, wolves, foxes, hares, etc.

 

Girzotag Fortress

The Haram fortress stands near the village of Sulut (Ismayilli region, Azerbaijan), on the right bank of the Haram river. The terrain is not too high, but amazingly picturesque. Rugged canyons, sparkling crystals of mountain peaks. The spirit of life hovers over forests full of living creatures that have inhabited these places since the beginning of time. The locals chose a name for this place, reflecting its grandeur and secret meaning - “Girkhgiz” (40 girls) or “Girkhotag” (40 rooms). According to legend, the Shirvan khans kept in each room one beauty (harem), each of which did not know about the existence of others. The hypothesis is being advanced that the Haram fortress was also the fortress where the harem was kept. You need to get to the fortress by car to the village of Sulut, and from there to the fortress - by horse or on foot. The fortress was

Maiden's Tower (Fit Fortress) (XVIIth century) in the village of Hanega

Fortress Fit is the last residence of the Shirvanshahs. This fortress was built 35 km from the city of Shemakhy, near Baskal and Sulut, and is surrounded by the mountains of Lahij. Fit is a unique Ismayilli fortress located in an inaccessible area for transport. Mountain trails lead to it, hidden from view and still preserving the military secrets of antiquity. Some researchers believe that this fortress in the third century, during the existence of Caucasian Albania, served as a defensive structure. Other sources indicate that this Ismayilli fortress in Azerbaijan already existed during the rule of the Shirvanshahs and remained an active defensive post until the end of the 18th century. She impresses with the grandeur and solidity of the design.

Ivanovka is a famous village in the Ismayilli district, 200 km away from Baku, founded in the 1830s and 40s, as a result of the resettlement of the Molokan peasants from central Russia to the Caucasus. They make up the Molokan community, which Catherine the Great expelled from the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Since then, the Ismayilli region has become their homeland, where they live in peace and harmony with their neighbors. Ivanovka is considered an original Molokan settlement where the only collective farm in Azerbaijan has been preserved. Today, 1,600 Russians live here, as well as Azerbaijanis and Lezgins, which total three thousand people.

House-Museum of Sergei Rachmaninov

In the village of Ivanovka, from 1890 to 1917, Sergei Rachmaninov spent almost every spring, summer, and often autumn. In August 1978, the Rakhmaninov House-Museum was established in Ivanovka as a branch of the Tambov Regional Museum. June 18, 1982 the house-museum was inaugurated. On the same day, a sculptural portrait of Sergei Rachmaninov was opened in Ivanovka. In 1987, the house-museum was transformed into the Rachmaninov Museum-Estate. In the village of Ivanovka from 1890 to 1917, Sergei Rachmaninov spent almost every spring, summer, and often autumn. In August 1978, the Rakhmaninov House-Museum was established in Ivanovka as a branch of the Tambov Regional Museum. June 18, 1982 the house-museum was inaugurated. On the same day, a sculptural portrait of Sergei Rachmaninov was opened in Ivanovka. In 1987, the house-museum was transformed into the Rachmaninov Museum-Estate..

Wine tasting at Chateau Monolit

The Chateau Monolith Recreation Center is located in one of the most picturesque corners of Azerbaijan - in the Ismayilli region, in the village of Hadzhihatamli. On hot summer days you will find peace, regain strength and spend an unforgettable vacation in cool nature under the murmur of mountain rivers. Tours, horseback riding, fishing, wine tasting are also provided. There is a cellar with wine collections.

 

Lahij

    The village of Lahij is located in the Ismayilli region of Azerbaijan at an altitude of 1375 m above sea level on the left bank of the Girdimanchay River, originating on the slopes of the village. Mount Niyaldag rises here (2083.5 m), Gabandag to the east, and Gumyushgaladag and Garabeldag on the opposite bank of the river. Lahij is an original monument of urban planning and architectural art of antiquity. This medieval town with cobbled streets and squares is one of the most famous craft and trade centers in the Caucasus and beyond. It is believed that it was here that the legendary Manomakh hat was made, which for many centuries was worn by Russian tsars. Lahij was especially famous for making edged weapons and copper utensils decorated with engraved ornaments. And up to now there are dozens of workshops here, where hereditary blacksmiths make various household items in front of amazed tourists. The very first quarter of Lahij was laid in the III-IV centuries. It is curious that the city has a water supply and sewage system, which is almost more than one and a half thousand years old. In 1980, Lahij was declared a historical and cultural reserve. Lahij is famous for its copper products. Copper production in the village is an object of the intangible cultural heritage of mankind UNESCO. Some samples were once shown at World Exhibitions and are stored in a number of museums around the world. Many ancient copper workshops have been preserved in the village, many of which still produce copper products, mainly for tourists.