Shabran

Khizy district is located in the so-called Shabran region, and of all the administrative regions of the republic with mountainous terrain, it is closest to Baku - 70 km. The climate here is warm temperate with little rainfall. The eastern part of the region is the Caspian coast.

On the way to Khizy, 10 km from the highway, you can observe an interesting natural phenomenon: the exits of various layers of geological rocks to the surface of the hills form a very peculiar color landscape. Experts say that such a geological phenomenon can be observed only in one other place on Earth - in Death Valley, USA.

 Here, in the Khizy district, one of the most beautiful nature reserves is located - "Alti Agach", also called "Djannet Bugi"  - "Garden of Eden". Forests occupy 90% of its territory, and a reserve has been created to restore and prevent the erosion processes of the southeastern slopes of the Greater Caucasus and preserve rare species of animals and plants. Here, in Alti Agach, during the reign of the Shirvanshahs, there was one of the caravan sites. And since "agach" ("tree"  - Azeri language) was once one of the measures of distance (7 km), in translation this name means "6 Trees"  that is  42 km.

In the Khizy district there is also a hunting reserve Yashma (near the city of Sumgayit), whose area is 4 hectares. Waterfowl hunting and fishing are possible on its territory.

 

Beshbarmag

Beshbarmag in the translation of “Five Fingers” is located in the area of ​​mountains called Khizy, the distance from the capital is 104 kilometers, not far from the coast of the Caspian Sea. It is also popularly known as Mount Hıdır Zinda and is a place of pilgrimage. This mountain has a wonderful shape, which attracts foreign tourists from all over the world. Outwardly, it looks very much like a five-finger hand raised up. At the foot of Mount Beshbarmag there is a holy place called "Pir Khidir Zundzha", where travelers stop for prayers and worship.

 

There are many historical monuments in the area. The ruins of the ancient city of the XVth century are located at a distance of 8 km, and the Mausoleum of Sheikh Heydar in the village of Alashirin is 5 km from the district center. 8 kilometers from Khizy there is another recreation area - "Gizilgazma", where the house-museum of the founder of Azerbaijani dramaturgy Jafar Jabbarly is located. In addition, Khizy is home to another prominent representative of Azerbaijani literature, the poet Mikail Mushfig, whose house museum is also open to visitors.

 

House-Museum of Jafar Jabbarly

"Jafar Jabbarly House-Museum" is an official museum dedicated to the life and work of Jafar Gafar oglu Jabbarly, which has occupied a prominent place in the development of literature, culture and art of Azerbaijan in the XXth century. Jafar Jabbarly has exceptional services to his people as a prominent playwright, poet, prose writer, theater expert, translator, screenwriter and journalist. Jafar Kafar oglu Jabbarly was born on March 20, 1899 in the city of Khizy. Born in a peasant family. Honored Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR (1928), pioneer of socialist realism in Azerbaijani drama.

Devechi

The small town of  Devechi lives its life 122 kilometers from Baku. " Devechi " in translation from Azerbaijan language means "Camel Guide". But today you will not see camels here, although at one time this city was one of the main stops of large caravans. It is located in the north-eastern part of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range. For the most part this is a semi-desert territory with a dry climate, turning on the slopes of the mountains into a temperate one. But from the East, the Devechi region is washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea, the sandy shores of which smoothly pass into the hills, and then into the mountains covered with forests. The total area of ​​Devechi forests is 21.5 thousand hectares. The territory of the district is rich in mineral waters and mud volcanoes. Oil reserves were also found in the depths of the local forests in the Zaglu-Zeyvya region - on the way to Devechi you can see many oil rigs.

 

"Capricorn Rock"

The place "Ketchy Gayasy" ("Capricorn Rock") is located in the tourist zone Zaglu-Zeyva. Its name with this fabulous landscape is due to the capricorns living here. "Ketchy gayasy" is a favorite place for tourists who come here to relax in the forest, admire the rocks and enjoy the murmur of a mountain river. And the key sources of hydrogen sulfide water help people cure many ailments.

 

Hunting club "Harbor"

At 12 kilometers from the regional center of Devechi on the seashore are three lakes surrounded by reeds. If you find yourself here once, do not be alarmed when you hear shots. Hunters are shooting. In autumn and winter, the hunting season on the lakes. Here you can shoot ducks, geese and other game. And since there is a lake, then fish are a dime a dozen. In addition to freshwater fish during spawning, marine species can also be caught here. Local fishermen advise you to go fishing in the morning - a nibble, they say, is good, because the fish comes to the surface. At the same time, you can listen to funny stories of hunters. And if you get carried away and stayed up late, there will be enough room for everyone in hunting huts.

 

Sanatorium "Galaalti"

In Devechi come not only to relax, but also to be treated. Here, at an altitude of 1000 meters from sea level, the resort "Galaalti" is located - one of the largest and most famous resorts in Azerbaijan.

It has been operating since 1976. Treatment in "Galaalti" is carried out using water from sources that local residents call "Naftsu", that is "oil water". "Naftsu" with a pungent smell and a peculiar aftertaste is often compared with the waters of the resorts of Truskavets (Ukraine) and Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic).

Urological diseases are mainly treated with this water in the sanatorium, but it is also useful for the digestive organs and gall bladder. Although the clean mountain air in Galaalti mixes with the sea air, there is no excessive humidity. In addition, forest aroma, which also plays a significant role in restoring shaky health.

 

Mud Volcano "Gaynarcha"

The territory of Galaalt is also replete with mud volcanoes. The most famous among them is the Gaynarcha ("boiling") volcano.

The mud of these volcanoes is considered healing - it treats joint diseases, as well as skin diseases. Volcanic mud is applied to the body after preheating to 45 degrees heat. After holding for 1 hour, the dirt is washed off. The course of such treatment, as a rule, lasts several days.

In general, a trip to Galaalti is a great opportunity to combine business with pleasure. The fact is that Galaalti is located on the territory of the Chiraggala nature reserve, named after the ancient fortress of the same name. The guests of the sanatorium like to climb to the top of the mountain to see the ruins of the fortress, although the "assault" takes a lot of time and energy. It also offers beautiful views of the local villages and valleys. At the same time, you can arrange a picnic on top of the mountain. And near the fortress there is a teahouse where you can quench your thirst by drinking tea from aromatic herbs. In a word, Chiraggala is a place where you can relax with your body and soul.x

 

Chiraggala

This fortress is a symbol of the Devechi region and has no analogues in Azerbaijan. It is located 20-25 kilometers from the regional center on top of a rocky mountain. Chiraggala Fortress is attributed to the V-VIth centuries. Until the XVIIIth century it was used both for defense and intelligence purposes, historians say.

In case of a siege, a tunnel leading to the sea was dug under the fortress. To inform other fortresses of the country about the approaching enemy, a fire was built on Chiraggala. Apparently, this is where the name of the fortress comes from, which means Chiraggala

This fortress is a symbol of the Devechi region and has no analogues in Azerbaijan. It is located 20-25 kilometers from the regional center on top of a rocky mountain. Chiraggala fortress is attributed to the V-VI centuries. Until the 18th century it was used both for defense and intelligence purposes, historians say. In case of a siege, a tunnel leading to the sea was dug under the fortress. To inform other fortresses of the country about the approaching enemy, a fire was built on Chiraggala. Apparently, this is where the name of the fortress comes from, which means "Fortress-lamp" in Azerbaijani. Yes, and the mountain itself, on which the fortress is located, local residents call "Chiraggaya" - "Rock-lamp". Probably, even before the fortress appeared, signals about the approach of the enemy were transmitted through bonfires made at a height of a bird's flight. It was the main of the three large watchtowers of the Gilgilchay Fortress wall from the Caspian Sea to the slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range.

Over time, the fortress wall collapsed, and the only surviving element of this defensive complex - Chiraggala Fortress in 2003 was declared a historical and archaeological reserve. But this is not the only place in Devechi that is worth seeing. It is difficult not to be tempted to visit at least one of the ancient villages with their own history, nature, customs and, of course, cuisine.

 

Nohurlar Village

Located at an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level, the village of Nokhurlar historians attribute to the XVIth century. The first name of the village was Gemur, but then it was renamed Nohurlar, which means "Lakes." The fact is that on the territory of this village there are no less than 17 mountain lakes, each of which is more beautiful than the other. The water in the lakes is equally fresh, but different in color. They say they formed after a strong earthquake, and local residents call them a miracle of nature. But swimming in these natural wonders is not recommended, as the lakes are very deep, and the water is cold all year round.

You can’t visit the village of Nokhurlar and not try the local tea from aromatic herbs that are useful for blood pressure, kidneys, heart, relieves headaches and abdominal pains. Nohurlar is an indispensable corner for those who like to relieve stress earned from busy life in modern cities.

 

Tail cheese

Tail cheese was highly valued at all times because of its quality and taste. Here, guests were always treated with pita bread with butter and fat tail cheese. To begin with, not everyone can cook a real tail. This is a very delicate job, the villagers say. Preparing a tail of fat from the skin of a ram or goat. After the cleanly trimmed skin is removed from the slaughtered animal, it is salted from the inside and left to dry. After drying, cheese and cottage cheese are collected in it, tightening with a rope all the holes in place of the limbs and neck of the animal. It does not deteriorate, even if stored for a year. In order for the cheese to turn out tasty, first of all, the fat tail must be of high quality. As an Azerbaijani proverb says, "As a husband tenderly keeps his wife, we keep the cheese in captivity of tail." 

 

Shabran Ruins

Near the village of Shahnazarli to this day you can see the ruins of the ancient city. As a result of archaeological excavations conducted in 1979-1989 on both banks of the Shabran River, scientists discovered the ruins of the city of the same name, whose territory was 450 square kilometers.

. It was a city based on the Great Silk Road in the VIth century. Shah Khosrov Anushiravan from the Sassanid dynasty. In the VIIth century the city was captured by the Arabs, and in the IX-Xth centuries turned into one of the largest administrative, commercial and cultural centers of the region. In the X-XIIth centuries  Shabran was one of the political centers of the Shirvanshah state. Dungeons and family tombs of Shirvanshah rulers were located here. According to written sources, the Shirvanshah Ibrahim arranged a large feast in Shabran in honor of Tamerlane, who defeated the Golden Horde Khan Tokhtamysh.

Shabran was a multi-ethnic city. In addition to the main inhabitants - Muslims, there were also Christians and Jews. The local population was engaged in ceramic craft. Under the ruins of the ancient city, archaeologists have discovered elements of the sewer system. Belonging to the IXth century a covered sewer system made of stone and brick made it possible to discharge waste water directly into the river. The first street in Azerbaijan was discovered on the territory of Shabran. And clay earthen furnaces of the bakers quarter have survived to this day. Coins found during excavations show that back in the Middle Ages, copper and jewelry, weapons manufacturing was developed in this city.

Several versions are associated with the etymology of the toponym "Shabran". According to one of them, the name of the city consists of two parts: "Shab" - night and "wounds" - place, space. Today in its place is a museum-reserve.

 

 Piryabyadil Village

We are talking about the homeland of the famous aristocratic family of the Musabekovs, the first Minister of Justice of the Azerbaijan SSR Ayna Sultanova, the famous composer Tofig Kuliyev. The village is located 20 kilometers from the district center at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. İt is named after Sheikh Pir Byadal, who had moved from Syria in time to spread Islam. It was in this village that the first secular school functioned in the former Guba district. Great merit in this matter belonged to the aristocratic family of the Musabekovs. Today, the Musabekovs House Museum is open in Piryabyadil, which differs from other buildings in the village. This house was built by architects from Europe.

The local population to this day carefully preserves the old traditions of hospitality. Here you will not see high fences and locked doors. But guests are also required to respect local customs.

Piryabadil Carpets

They reflected all the colors of the palette, they reflected the flora and fauna, customs and foundations of these places.

The most popular motifs are ram horns and floral patterns. Each carpet is exclusive, not repeating the work of another craftswoman. Piryabadil carpets also use the "Herat" pattern. Local craftswomen call these carpets "Urusiyet" that is "Russia", and this name has its own story.

The carpet with "Herat" patterns began to be called "Russia"  since the work of the local craftswoman Munavvar Efendiyeva glorified the Devechi at the exhibition in St. Petersburg in 1913, and they began to present pyrillyadil rugs at various exhibitions and fairs.

In fact, the composition of the carpet "Herat Piryabyadil" is a local interpretation of the carpets of the Afghan city of Herat. At the same time, the Piryabadil "Herat" differs from the Afghan one in its color, shape and color. Carpet weaving is the main occupation of local women in the winter months.

Having talked about the carpet, one cannot fail to mention other elements of local life. This time we will stop in the kitchen. In the village of Piryabyadil we were treated to a dish that is not found in any other region of Azerbaijan. Here they are treated to all respected guests.

 

Pilaf with Etre

Everything is clear to pilaf, but "what is etre", you ask. Etre - dough rolled like spaghetti. It is from him, as well as from lentils and, naturally, rice that this variety of pilaf is prepared. First you need to cut etre and leave it to dry in the open air. Separately, soak rice and lentils. Then all this together with etre is added to boiling water and left to boil for 5 minutes. Next, the water is poured out, and the contents are transferred to a copper pan to be steamed. Moreover, the dish must be cooked at the stake, otherwise the taste will not be the same, say the Piryabadil women. After an hour, pilaf is ready, and then it can be served at the table. "And what is pilaf without oil", the reader may ask. Ghee is served to this pilaf separately in a glass. Everyone can add to taste. Bon Appetit!..