Shamakhi

Shemakha

Shemakha (or Shamakhi) is located in the southern part of the Greater Caucasus, 122 kilometers from Baku and lies at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level. Founded in V-IV centuries BC and was one of the cities of Caucasian Albania and also the capital of the State of Shirvanshahs in the X century. The city abounds in mountain forests and meadows  and therefore most of the area is a resort area with many springs of mountain water. It should be noted that Shemakha since ancient times was famous as one of the centers of carpet weaving and trade in Azerbaijan. 

Shemakha is also the largest center of Azerbaijani viticulture. Shemakha wines are popular not only in the local market, but have long won medals and diplomas at international exhibitions. This region is a popular holiday destination for residents of the capital, tourists, lovers of sports tourism. Those who prefer hiking excursions from here to the cities of Guba and Ismayilli. Ecotourists and simply travel enthusiasts seek to visit the Dzhanginsky forest, in which wild apple, pear, and cherry plum trees grow, and on its outskirts, next to the gorge, sulfurous springs beat. On the right bank of the Pirsaat River is the village of Chukhuryurt, inhabited by Molokans - immigrants from Russia. They became famous for their delicious sunflower oil, especially salted vegetables, supplies to the capital of mountain honey, vegetables and fruits. In the town of Girkh Bulag ("Forty Springs") there are many springs with spring water.

Diri-Baba Mausoleum (1402 y.)

 

Diri Baba - this unique monument, a masterpiece of the Shirvan architectural school, is located in the village of Maraza. For a long time, local residents believed that the saint named Diri-Baba was buried in this place and remained incorruptible. However, many legends and mystical details are associated with this monument. The peculiarity of the building is that the architect built in  the tomb in the rock and it seems that it is holding herself  on weight , cut off from the ground.

Seven Domes (Yeddi Gumbez) ​​(XV century)

Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum or Seven Domes, its appearance dates back to the 15th century. So popularly called the tomb of the Shirvan rulers in Shamakhi. Seven Domes just as many tombstones are in the crypt.

Juma Mosque (743 y.)

Juma Mosque is the oldest Friday Mosque in the Caucasus and throughout the Middle East after the Derbent Juma Mosque. Built in 743 by Abu Muslim, as evidenced by the inscription on the wall of the mosque, discovered in 1902. This mosque to this day is a place of pilgrimage for Shiite Muslims

Mausoleum of Pirmardakan

 Pir-Mardakan is a khanega-mausoleum of the XII-XIIIth centuries located in the village of Geylar of the Shemakha region of Azerbaijan, 17 km south of Shemakha. The khanegi complex is located on an old trade route that once connected Shemakha with other cities in the Near and Middle East. The khanegi complex consists of the well-preserved building of the mausoleum itself, the hujra, the prayer hall-mosque, the minaret, the caravanserai, the courtyard with walls, and also auxiliary buildings. The mausoleum itself is built of well-hewn lime mortar. In plan, the inner part of the mausoleum is square, which, with the help of angular thromppers, becomes an octahedron. The octahedron completes the octahedral prism, covered by a pyramidal tent. Around the mausoleum there is a huge cemetery with epitaphs of sheikh scholars of the 12th-13th centuries and later.

 

Gulistan Fortress

Built on top of a 200-meter rocky mountain northwest of Shemakha, this magnificent architectural monument for nine centuries remained one of the main strongholds of the Shirvanshahs State. Gulistan Fortress in Shemakha dates back to the IX-XIIth centuries. This fortress, located three kilometers from the city of Shemakha, had a dual function: it was the summer residence of the Shirvanshahs and at the same time a strong defensive means. At various times, the fortress was destroyed and therefore only some towers and the remains of its walls have survived to this day. It is assumed that before the construction of the fortress, this mountain was called Gulistan, and then the fortress built on it was named that way.

Shemakha Astrophysical Observatory (Pirgulu)

At an altitude of 1400 meters above sea level, near the village of Pirgulu is located the Shemakha Astrophysical Observatory (ShAO) named after Nasireddin Tusi. The first of the largest telescopes of the former USSR was installed here. The observatory is engaged in the study of near and far Cosmos. Local scientists observe and analyze data about distant planets (including those suitable for human life), about the Sun and planets of the solar system, about galaxies, nebulae, quasars and other astronomical objects. Now the pride of the observatory is a two-meter telescope, the largest not only in the region, but throughout the Islamic world. In addition to it, there are other, smaller telescopes, there is a solar telescope and other equipment.

Pirgulu Reserve

One of the widespread types of ecotourism in the modern period is safari tourism. For the first time, this type of tourism has appeared in the rich nature of Africa. Safari tourism is organized for the purpose of photo hunting, fishing, animal observation in natural conditions in open space. Photo safaris are also figuratively called silent hunting. Azerbaijan also has ample opportunities for taking photosafari tours. Natural areas, especially protected in various parts of our country, are national parks and reserves, one of which is Pirgulu Reserve. In the east of Azerbaijan, in the Shemakha region, where the forests of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus merge with the steppe landscape, in 1968  Pirgulu State Nature Reserve was organized Pirgulu Reserve occupies 1,5 thousand hectares, of which almost 90% are solid forests. The reserve contains all types of woody vegetation characteristic of the Caucasus Mountains. In the flora there are about 45 rare and endemic species, and up to 20 species of wild fruit trees, for example, stunning beauty overgrown wild apple trees. A large area is occupied by oak forests - oak and coarse. There is oriental beech and Caucasian hornbeam, several yew-tree groves, ash, maple, poplar grows ... It is quite natural that there will be a sea of ​​birds in such a place. Of the rare species here you can find mountain partridge, Caucasian ular, pheasant and other birds. The generous Pirgulu fauna is represented by wild boar, roe deer, lynx, brown bear, forest cat, tour, marten and stone marten, chamois, red deer, jackal, turuch, as well as a virtually extinct species - striped hyena.

 

Winery "Az-Granata" in Agsu

The most profitable food industry is winemaking. Winemaking in Azerbaijan has existed since ancient times. Local drinks have a delicate aroma, a unique deep aroma and rich velvety taste. Azerbaijani wine is known for its high quality throughout the world. Viticulture is one of the oldest branches of agriculture in Azerbaijan. The most ancient monuments of winemaking in Azerbaijan include the jug-kup, found in 1931 near Khanlar and dating from the beginning of the Ist century BC. Grape seeds were found in this jug, and tartar deposits were found on its walls. Having passed a difficult and long way of formation, today the wine industry of Azerbaijan is once again flourishing. More than four hundred types of vines are grown here. You will have a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the winemaking craft, technologies and ancient traditions of the production of the famous Azerbaijani wines, to observe the production process at the Az-Granata winery. The plant is one of the largest producers of fruit juices in the South Caucasus. Along with fruit juices, concentrates and compotes, various types of wine and vodka are also produced. The area located in Agsu winery is 8,8 hectares. At the plant, the equipment of which was delivered from Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Bulgaria and France, a warehouse for finished products up to 2 million liters was built. In addition, in the laboratory, which is part of the plant, all the necessary studies are carried out, including chemical and microbiological, tasting of taste and compliance with the sale, product hygiene and compliance with standards are ensured.