Ganja

Gandja is the second largest and most significant city in Azerbaijan after Baku. The foundation of the city dates back to the middle of the IXth century. According to legend, when laying the city, a treasure with innumerable treasures was found, which is why he was given the name Gandja, the City of Treasures. From Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Gandja is 370 km. By bus, the journey takes about 4 hours. The city has been subjected to trials of fate more than once, becoming the object of devastating raids by foreign invaders or being at the epicenter of a devastating earthquake. But contrary to all adversities, the city again and again revived in an even more beautiful appearance. And today Gandja is one of the three largest cities and territories in terms of size and population of Azerbaijan, being one of the industrial, scientific and cultural centers of the country. Along with economic importance, Gandja and its environs are famous for their rich historical and natural heritage, which makes it the largest tourist center of Azerbaijan. Today, the birthplace of the great Nizami, an incredibly beautiful sunny city, literally immersed in the greenery of gardens, Gandja, as before, attracts travelers from all over the world.

Gate of Ancient Gandja

The famous gates of Gandja were born thanks to the efforts of the blacksmith Ibrahim ibn Osman in 1063. He made them by order of the ruler of the Sheddadid dynasty. The gates are a masterpiece of craftsmanship of the time, they were made of cast iron and decorated with ornaments and patterns using the embossing method from the outside. Among the ornament on the “kufi” the name of the master and the date of manufacture of the gate were knocked out. So far, only one wing has been preserved. It is mounted in the wall of the Kelatin Monastery, located opposite the grave of Georgian king David IV

Sheikh Bahauddin Ensemble

The main Gandja historical ensemble is the historical and architectural complex created by Sheikh Bahauddin, which includes the Juma Mosque (Shah Abbas Mosque), Chekyak-Hamam (medieval bathhouse) and caravanserai.

 

Juma Mosque

Juma Mosque is the most recognizable historical monument and a real decoration of the city. The mosque was built at the beginning of the XVIIth century. It is said that the architect Sheikh Bahauddin, who built the mosque, was fond of astronomy and equipped the Juma Mosque with the additional function of a sundial. At noon, time can be checked against it. The mosque, built of red brick, is a squat but wide building. It consists of a prayer hall, divided into two halves (for men and women) with a large screen, and small adjacent rooms. The windows of the mosque are decorated with patterned lattice-shebeke. In front of the massive gates of the mosque, there was once a market square surrounded by shops and centuries-old plane trees.

"Chekyak-Hammam" Bath

So-called unique ancient baths. The Chekyak-Hammam bathhouse  worked for almost 400 years and was closed only in 1963. Originally intended for the Persian nobility, but later all the townspeople could rest here. Two halls of the bathhouse were heated from two boilers, steam was supplied through ceramic pipes, and the domes performed the function of ventilation. Back in the 60s of the last century, the townspeople had the pleasure of taking a steam bath in the khan’s bath. Today in the old building is the Porcelain Museum. In 2002, Chekyak-hammams were recognized as a UNESCO cultural heritage site.

 

Gandja Caravanserai

The Gandja Caravanserai became another masterpiece of Sheikh Bahauddin. The caravanserai "Ugurlu Bey" was built in the 17th century according to the project of the architect Sheikh Bahauddin Mohammed Amil. Today, the two-story building of the medieval caravanserai is occupied by the Ganja Humanitarian College. The museum of the Azerbaijani poetess Meskheti Gandjavi, a Persian poetess of the XIIth century, is located in a part of the building.

 

 

Mausoleum of Nizami Gandjavi

The mausoleum of Nizami Gandjavi was built on the alleged grave of the poet Nizami in 1991. It was built to replace the dilapidated stone mausoleum, from 1947-1991. As Academician Barthold notes, the first mention of the Nizami Mausoleum dates back to 1606, what the appearance of the mausoleum was and by whom it was built, is unknown. The tomb of Nizami has been a pilgrimage site for many centuries. The first mention of the tomb in historical chronicles was made by Iskander Bek Munshi, a chronicler at the Safavid Court, who reported that at the end of February 1606, Shah Abbas I arrived in Gandja and set up a camp near the mausoleum of Sheikh Nizami.

 

Albanian Church

The Albanian Autocephalous Church, built in 313, encompassed various peoples of the Caucasus, both Caucasian speaking, Turkish speaking and Iranian speaking. Until the beginning of the VIIth century the Albanian, Georgian  and Armenian churches were allied and had a single religious direction. These churches originated from Syrian, Coptic (Ethiopian), Jerusalem, and other early Eastern Christian religious schools.

 

Bottle House

An unusual attraction is a quaint private house built by a local in the 60s of the last century. The house was conceived as a monument about a brother who went missing during the Great Patriotic War. During the construction of an unusual house used 50 thousand glass bottles. The inscriptions "Gandja" and "Eternal Glory to the Heroes of the War" are lined with colored pebbles on the walls of the house.

 

Tomb of Javad Khan

The tomb of Javad Khan stands in the park next to the Shah Abbas Mosque and the central square of Gandja. In size it is very small - you won’t even think that the khan buried in it was one of the greatest Gandja rulers. Javad Khan died January 3,1804  during the defense of Gandja from foreign invaders. In the 90s of the last century, the remains of Javad Khan were moved here from the old city cemetery. The construction that began in 2004 lasted several months. At its construction, builders adhered to the requirements of a medieval architectural school. The monument opened in 2005 and took its rightful place among other monuments of the XVIIth century.

Imamzadeh Mausoleum

The XIVth century Imamzadeh Mausoleum, also known under the names "Goy Imam", descended from the blue color of its dome and "Imam Zadeh", the traditional name of the mausoleums where the descendants of the prophet Ali are buried (literally "sons of the prophet") .The complex of the mausoleum contains mosques, tombstones, caravanserai and other monuments. Imamzadeh Mausoleum ends with a tiled multicolored irrigation brick. The most beautiful in the whole ensemble is the dome of the mausoleum, lined with bright blue tiled tiles. Despite the fact that the mausoleum was restored in the XIXth century, it has a very dilapidated appearance what however makes this monument attractive to tourists as it retains the spirit of ancient times. The architectural complex of the monument is protected by the state. And the mosque is still operating.

Alexandre Nevsky Cathedral

It is the Orthodox Church of the end of the XIX century built on the site of an old cemetery for charitable contributions of both Christians and Muslims. The temple was built in the Byzantine style and has an original interior decoration. Before the revolution, it was a cathedral church. In the 30s of the last century the church was first used as a museum  and later a warehouse was organized in it. In 1946 the church was returned to the Orthodox Church. The main relics of the temple are the icons of Alexander Nevsky and Mary Magdalene. Among the existing Orthodox churches in Azerbaijan, it is one of the oldest (the second in time buildings after the Mikhail Arkhangelsk church in Baku). It is included in the National Register of Monuments of History of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Rector - Priest Bartholomew Sotnikov.

 

Ganja Museum of History and Local Lore

The city has a large number of museums and exhibition halls, but a special place among them is the Ganja Museum of History and Local Lore. This is the most popular platform where you can get acquainted with the rich history of the city and the entire region. The museum was founded in 1924 and is dedicated to the world famous Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi. Initially, the exhibition was located in only two rooms, today the museum has 18 salons and more than 30,000 exhibits. These are objects, documents, finds of archeology from ancient times to the present day, telling tourists about the amazing history of Ganja

 

Ganja Museum of History and Local Lore

The city has a large number of museums and exhibition halls, but a special place among them is the Ganja Museum of History and Local Lore. This is the most popular platform where you can get acquainted with the rich history of the city and the entire region. The museum was founded in 1924 and is dedicated to the world famous Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi. Initially, the exhibition was located in only two rooms, today the museum has 18 salons and more than 30,000 exhibits. These are objects, documents, finds of archeology from ancient times to the present day, telling tourists about the amazing history of Ganja

Israfil Mammadov House Museum

The first Azerbaijani to become a Hero of the Soviet Union during World War II was Lieutenant Mammadov Israfil Mageram oglu. He was awarded the high rank on December 12,1941, the hero was only 22 years old. A monument has been erected in the city of Gandja, a house museum has been opened. On the house where the hero lived - a memorial plaque. His name is given to a street, a school in Gandja, as well as a school in his native village.

 

Khan's Garden

Gandja’s favorite vacation spot is the wonderful city park Khan Bagy (Khan’s Garden), which has existed since 1700, during the Gandja Khanate. City guests are also trying to visit this beautiful park with mighty ancient trees, fragrant flowers and numerous paths lined with colorful tiles.

The park has a beautiful fountain, an artificial pond with white swans, interesting decorative elements. But, of course, the main decoration of the Khan’s Garden is ancient trees, some of which still remember Persian rule. There is also a mini-zoo, which contains deer, gazelles, squirrels and several species of birds, including flamingos. Particularly surprising is the installation from a bush in the form of a pianist at the piano in full size, as well as antique-style chaise.

 

Walking along Central Street

Another favorite place for walks of visitors and residents of the city is one of the central streets of Gandja  Sabir street which today bears the name of the last ruler of the Gandja Khanate - the brave Javad Khan. In 2011, historical buildings located on the street, related mainly to buildings of the late XIXth century, underwent a thorough restoration. Today on the street, the total length of which is 550 meters, there are fountains, flower beds in the shape of the national symbol of "buta", sculptural miniatures and compositions. It is interesting that on Javad Khan Street an old building was built, built in 1901, which in the period from 1902 to the 1920s housed the workshop and shop of the Singer brothers, the famous German manufacturers of sewing machines.