Shemakha- Lahij

Description

Duration: 11 hours

9:00 Departure from Baku

10:30 Shemakha Tour

    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.

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

 

13:00- 14:00 Lunch break (in Shemakha or in the village of Lagich)

 “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.

15:00 Start of the tour of Lagich

The village of Lagich is located in the Ismayilli region of Azerbaijan at an altitude of 1,375 m above sea level on the left bank of the Girdymanchay River, originating on the slopes of the village. Here the mountain Niyaldag rises (2083.5 m), to the east - Gabandag and on the opposite bank of the river - Gumyushgaladag and Garabeldag. Lagich is an original monument of the town and architectural art of antiquity. This medieval town with cobbled streets and squares is one of the most famous handicraft and shopping centers in the Caucasus and beyond. The peaple believe that it was here that they made the legendary Manomakh hat which was worn by Russian tsars for centuries. Lagich was especially famous for making cold arms and copper utensils decorated with engraved ornaments. And today there are about a dozen workshops, where hereditary blacksmiths make various household items in front of astonished tourists. The very first quarter of Lagich was founded in the III-IV centuries. It is curious that the city has a water supply and sewage system, which is nearly one and a half thousand years old. In 1980, Lagich was declared a historical and cultural reserve. Lagich is famous for its copper products. Copper production in the village is the object of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. Some samples at one time were shown in the World Exhibitions and are stored in a number of museums around the world. There are many old copper workshops in the village, in many of which copper products are still produced, mainly for tourists.

 

18:00 Departure from Lagich to Baku

20:00 Arrival in Baku (End of tour)

Group tours schedule