Sheki

SHEKI

Sheki is the center of the eponymous district and the eponymous historical region in Azerbaijan. Located in the southern foothills of the Greater Caucasus, 77 km north of the Yevlakh railway junction. Until March 15, 1968, it was called Nuha. It was founded in the VIII century BC and was originally called Sakasen or Sake, which is associated with the ethnonym of the Iranian Saka tribes. Later, the name was transformed into Shakashen, Shaka, Shakki (hence the name "Sheki").

 

Palace of Sheki Khans (XVIII century)

The Palace of Sheki Khans- is the former residence of the Sheki khans located in Azerbaijan, in the city of Sheki, now a museum. The monument of history and culture of world significance, which is part of the state historical and architectural reserve "Yukhary Bash". The palace building, built in the XVIII century in the Persian style, is located in the elevated northeastern part of the city in an area fenced by fortress walls.

Caravanserais (XVIII century)

Of the caravanserais that existed in Sheki, only two survived to our days, traditionally called “Yukhari” and “Ashagi” caravanserai, which in translation from Azerbaijani into Russian means “Upper” and “Lower” caravanserais. The construction of these caravanserais dates back to the XVIIth century. The Lower and Upper Caravanserais, built by local craftsmen, are the largest of those recorded in the Transcaucasus in terms of their planning structure, large size and ease of trade.

 

Church in the village of Kish (XII century)

The church in the village of Kish is considered an ancient Christian church in the village of Kish, 5 km north of the city of Sheki in the territory of modern Azerbaijan. It has a special status among Albanian monuments. It has value not only as an architectural monument, but also has outstanding historical value. The history of the emergence of the church is associated with the history of the spread of Christianity in Caucasian Albania. The presence in historical sources of information about the construction of the church by the Apostle Elisha is irrefutable evidence of the apostolic beginning of the oldest independent Albanian church in the Caucasus.

Galyarsyan - Goryarsyan Fortress

Four kilometers from Sheki, on the top of Mount Garatepe, you can see the picturesque ruins of the fortress "Gələrsən-Görərsən", whose name translates as "Come and See." A whole page in the history of the city is connected with this. In the XVIII century, when the Iranian ruler Nadirshah attacked Sheki, the Sheki Khan Hadji Chelebi refused to surrender. Enraged, Nadirshah wanted to know where he was hiding, that he was so sure of his safety. Then Hadji Chelebi sent the shah the answer: "Come and see." After that, the fortress was called "Gələrsən-Görərsən". Presumably, its foundation was laid in the XV century by the ruler of Sheki. For many years, the fortress guarded the approaches to the city from foreign invaders. It was perfectly fortified, had several rows of thick walls. Many written sources mention the inaccessibility and strength of this fortress. Today, the fortress is a must-see place for all tourists coming to Sheki. On the territory of the fortress there are many deepest wells, the bottom of which is not even visible. According to some versions, these are traps for enemies. There is also a version that under the fortress there is an underground passage in case of escape. It should be noted that the fortress can only be reached on foot.

Shebeke

In Sheki, the art of wood and glass is highly developed - Shebeke (openwork wooden lattices with colored glass inserts, usually used in window and doorways). Shebeke began to be used in Azerbaijani architecture around the IX-XIIth centuries. Translated from the Azerbaijani language, "shebeke" means "mesh" and is a mesh pattern of stained glass and wooden blocks, assembled without any nails and glue. Shebeke is often compared with stained glass, since the main material in its manufacture is stained glass.

 

 

Silk City

Sheki is a city of artisans and craftsmenHere, even the streets are named after professions - Duluzchular (potters), Zargarlar (jewelers), Halvachylar (confectioners), etc. And Sheki residents exhibit their products on the main street of the city, where dozens of workshops and shops are located. However, Sheki is best known for its silk. Since the XVth century, this Azerbaijani city has been known as a place for the production of excellent silk. Sheki became the center of sericulture throughout the Caucasus. In 1861, the first silk-spinning factory was built here - one of the largest in the world. It is mostly men who weave it, hand over the finished fabric to dyers, and after them, silk goes to the craftsmen who apply the pattern using embossing. Everything is done here by their silk - shawls, carpets, pillows, blankets, fabrics, clothes are sewn. The most popular local souvenir is the traditional kelagai - silk scarves. “Look, you will not find shawls of the same color, they are all of different colors with different patterns, and also handmade,” said Solmaz Khanum, store manager at the silk factory. Colors are created by natural paints, so shawls even if they wear out, however, do not lose their color. However, the main treasure of the store is, of course, silk carpets. According to Solmaz Khanum, the presence of a silk carpet in the house is a testament to the delicate taste of the owner. “Each carpet has a storage instruction and a passport that confirms its authenticity,” says the store manager.

Sheki Sweets

It is Sheki city which is called the “sweetest” in Azerbaijan. Here they cook their own special bakhlava from walnut, the confectioners' counters are bursting with the number of Turkish delights invented by them, and there is no way to count the varieties of jam. Wherever you come in the country, be sure to order the Sheki khalva, it is likely that her taste will make you visit Sheki itself. Khalva is an oriental dessert made from sugar, nuts or seeds. The word is used to describe several types of confectionery. One type of khalva is based on ground oilseeds. Another type is based on wheat flour or vegetables. Sheki khalva can be tasted only in Azerbaijan. Hard work and cooking conditions limit the ability to cook at home. Therefore, we buy only in finished form. But in Sheki itself you have the opportunity to see the process of preparing the sweetest symbol of Azerbaijan. However, this delicacy, along with other national food, is being prepared for the Novruz holiday.