Tour in Ganja

Description

Duration: 12 hours

9:00 Departure towards Ganja

Ganja is the second largest and most significant city in Azerbaijan after Baku. The foundation of the city dates back to the middle of the 9th century. According to the legend, laying the city a treasure with innumerable treasures was found, which is why it was given the name Treasure City - Ganja. Distance from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Ganja is 370 km. By bus the journey takes about 4 hours. The city has repeatedly been tested by fate, becoming the object of the devastating raids of foreign invaders or being in the epicenter of a devastating earthquake. But contrary to all adversity, the city again and again revived in an even more beautiful appearance. Today, Ganja is one of the three largest in size territory and population of the cities of Azerbaijan, being one of the industrial, scientific and cultural centers of the country. Along with its economic significance, Ganja 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 Ganja, as before, attracts travelers from all over the world.

 

13:00 Arrival in Ganja. Start of the tour

Gate of ancient Ganja

The famous gate of Ganja was born thanks to the efforts of the blacksmith Ibrahim ibn Osman in 1063. He made them on the orders of the ruler of the Sheddadid dynasty. The gate is a masterpiece of handicraft art of the time, they were made of cast iron and decorated with ornaments and patterns from the outside by chasing. Among the ornaments on the “kufi” the name of the craftsman and the date of the gate were made. Until now only one leaf has been preserved. It is mounted in the wall of the Kelatin Monastery, located opposite the grave of the Georgian King David IV.

Ensemble of Sheikh Bahaudin

The main Ganja historical ensemble is a historical-architectural complex created by Sheikh Bahauddin, which includes  Juma Mosque (Shah Abbas Mosque), Chekyak-Hamam (Medieval Bath) and the Cravanserai.

                                                   Juma Mosque

Juma Mosque is the most recognizable historical monument and real decoration of the city. The mosque was built at the beginning of the XVII century. They say that the architect Sheikh Baheddin, who built the mosque, was fond of astronomy and equipped the Juma Mosque with an additional function of the sundial. At noon, it is possible to check the time on 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) by a large screen, and small adjacent rooms. The windows of the mosque are decorated with patterned shebeke lattices. In front of the massive gates of the mosque, a market square was once spread, surrounded by shops and centuries-old plane trees.

Chekyak-Hamam Bath

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

Ganja Caravansarais

Another masterpiece of Sheikh Bahautdin was the Ganja Caravanserai. The Ugurlu Bey Caravanserai was built in the 17th century by the design of the architect Sheikh Baheddin Mohammed Amil. Today the two-storey building of a medieval caravanserai is occupied by the Ganja Humanities College. In one part of the building is the museum of the Azerbaijani poetess Meskheti Ganjavi - Persian poetess of the XII century.

 

14:00- 15:00 Lunch break

 “Nush Olsun!” - “Bon appetit!”, They will tell you in every corner of Azerbaijan, cordially inviting you to an abundant feast. The most sophisticated gourmets who come to the republic will like the refinement and delicate aroma of Azerbaijani dishes. The history of the art of culinary recipes in Azerbaijan goes back centuries and is based on the vast experience of hereditary chefs that is preserved today. In terms of the composition and multiplicity of dishes, Azerbaijani cuisine is among the extremely diverse and healthy and is distinguished by an abundance of all sorts of meat, fish and vegetable delicacies, complemented by tender greens and savory spices. The dishes in tandoor are widely spread in the Azerbaijani cuisine. Trere are a large assortment of various sweets and drinks. Exclusive Azerbaijani dishes - dolma, bozbash, bozartma, chyhyrtma, khashil, kebab, piti, pilaf, govurma - are included in the national menu of many peoples of the Caucasus.

Mausoleum of Nizami Ganjavi

The mausoleum of Nizami Ganjavi was built on the alleged grave of the poet Nizami in 1991. It was built to replace the dilapidated stone mausoleum (1947-1991). Academician Barthold noted that the first mention of the mausoleum of Nizami dates back to 1606 and which was the appearance of the mausoleum, by whom it was built is unknown. The tomb of Nizami has been a place of pilgrimage for many centuries. The first mention of the tombs in the 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 Ganja and camped near the mausoleum of Sheikh Nizami.

Albanian Church

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

Bottle House

An unusual attraction - a quaint private house- was 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 years of the Great Patriotic War. During the construction of an unusual house  50 thousand glass bottles were used. The inscriptions  Ganja and  Eternal Glory to the Hheroes of War  are laid out on the walls of the house with colored stones.

 

Burial Tomb of Javad Khan

The tomb of Javad Khan stands in a park near the Shah Abbas Mosque and the central square of Ganja. It is quite small in size - you would not even think that the khan buried in it was one of the greatest Ganja rulers. Javad khan, died January 3, 1804 while defending Ganja against foreign invaders. In the 90s of the last century, the remains of Javad khan were transferred here from the old city cemetery. The construction started in 2004 continued for several months. During its construction, builders adhered to the requirements of the medieval architectural school. The monument was opened in 2005 and took a worthy place among other monuments of the XVII century.

Imamzade Mausoleum

Imamzade Mausoleum - XIV century, also known by the names  Gay-Imam,  derived from the blue color of its dome and Imamzade  is the traditional name of the mausoleums, where the descendants of the Prophet Ali are buried (literally "sons of the Prophet"). In the mausoleum complex there are mosques, tombstones, caravanserai and other monuments. The Imamzade Mausoleum is completed with multi-colored glazed 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 XIX century, it looks very old. What, however, makes this monument attractive to tourists, as preserving the spirit of ancient times. The architectural complex of the monument is protected by the state and the mosque is still in force.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

The Orthodox Church of the late XIX century was built on the site of an old cemetery for charitable contributions from both Christians and Muslims. The temple is  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 used first as a museum and later a warehouse was made here. In 1946, the temple 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 is one of the most ancient (the second in construction after the Michael the Archangel Church in Baku). It is included in the National Register of Monuments of History of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Abbot  is Priest Bartholomew Sotnikov.

Lutheran Church

Lutheran Church (Ganja) is a church, built in 1885. It was currently used as a puppet theater. After the annexation of the territory of modern Azerbaijan to Russia, immigrants from Germany began to arrive here. They founded several colonies in the region and a certain number lived in the provincial center (103 Germans lived in Ganja in 1893). For the possibility of holding meetings in 1885, the community built a prayer building. The church was active until 1941.

Local History Museum of Ganja

The city has a large number of museums and exhibition halls but a special place among them is occupied by the Local History Museum of Ganja. This is the most popular venue 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, archeological finds from ancient times to the present day, telling tourists about the amazing history of Ganja.

House Museum Israfil Mamedov

The first Azerbaijani to become a Hero of the Soviet Union during World War II was Lieutenant Mamedov Israfil Magerram oglu. He was awarded the high title of December 12, 1941, the hero was only 22 years old. A monument has been erected in the city of Ganja, a house-museum has been opened. There is a memorial plaque on the house where the Hero lived. A street, a school in Ganja and a school in his native village are named after him.

Khan's Garden

The favorite resting place of Ganja people is the wonderful city park Khan Baghy (Khan's Garden), which has existed since 1700, at the time of the Ganja Khanate. Visitors of the city also try 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 everyone surprises by the installation of a bush in the form of a pianist at the piano in full size, as well as stylized antique phaetons.

Walk along Central Street

Another favorite walking place for guests and residents of the city is one of the central streets of Ganja, the former Sabir Street, which today bears the name of the last ruler of the Ganja Khanate - the brave Javad Khan. In 2011, the historic buildings located on the street, relating mainly to buildings of the end of the XIX century, underwent a thorough restoration. Today on the street, the total length of which is 550 meters, there are fountains, flower beds in the form of the national symbol of buta, sculptural miniatures and compositions. It is interesting, that an old building built on Javad Khan Street in 1901 has been preserved, in which from 1902 to the 1920s there was a workshop and a shop of the Singer brothers, the famous German manufacturers of sewing machines.

21:00 End of the excursion

Group tours schedule