Northwest route Azerbaijan
SHAMAKHI
Present Shamakhi district is the center of the ancient Shirvan, the former state of Shirvanshahs, a historical area of Azerbaijan. It is located 120 km from Baku. It is situated on southeast foothills of the Greater Caucasus. Climate is predominantly temperate with dry summers. Landscape is diverse - steppes alternate foothill meadows and forests and the higher above sea level the colder is autumn and the later melts the snow. Overall, however, the climate is mild, soil is fertile and flora and fauna are rich. The region is attractive both to tourists and to amateur foot travelers. Those who prefer walking tours make trips from here to Guba and Ismailli. Eco tourists and simply amateur travelers are eager to see Dzhalangin forest with crabs, pear trees and cherry plum along with springs of sulfurated water in its vicinity.
Located 1400 meters above sea level, near Pirgulu village is Shamakhi astrophysical observatory (SAO) n.a. Nasireddin Tusi. The first of the largest telescopes in the former USSR was mounted here.
Historical monuments of the region include Dzhuma Mosque (8th-19th centuries), the mausoleums of Pirmardakan (13th-14th centuries), and Shakhandan (17th century), a complex of seven mausoleums named Eddi Gumbez (18th century), remainders of the legendary fortress Kalai-Bugurt near a mountain village of the same name - the fortress looks somehow attached to a steep rock. Gulustan fortress (8th-15th centuries) where Shirvanshah Shakhrur set up a steadfast defense against Persian armies - his palace and the unique water supply system: a secret aqueduct providing water for defensive walls, stone reservoir for its storage and water tower remained within the fortress. Located on the territory of the district is the reserve of Pirgulu. It was established in 1968 and consists of three sectors covering a total area of 1521 hectares, 1362 of which are occupied by forests, 8000-2000 m above sea level. The reserve's flora includes 45 rare and endemically plant species, many of which have been included in the Red List.
ISMAILLI
The district is located 185 km from Baku. Three of eight climate belts of Azerbaijan are represented on the territory of Ismailli district - temperate warm with dry winters, temperate warm with uniform precipitation (on lowlands) and cold with wet winters in mountains. The prevalent landscape of the region is mountainous. On the territory of the district there is a reserve "Ismailli" established in 1981. Its territory covers 5778 hectares.
Historical-cultural reserves have been established in Lagic and Basgal and many monuments have been taken under protection of the state, including the mosque of Bedoy Zevero (1791), Agali Mosque, Zevero spring and a mosque and bath dated to the 18th century. Other monuments include Maiden's Tower (17th century) in Khanega village, Fitdag tower (18th century) in Sulut village and many other archeological objects. Interestingly, residents link one of legends about Alexander the Great to the tower. The great conqueror allegedly stopped here and his heralds would signal from golden horns from the top of a mountain. ("Fit" is the Azerbaijani for "a signal", "whistle"). On the top of another mountain, on the left bank of Girdiman River, near the village of Talystan there are remainders of the fortress where, according to a legend, lived Dzhavanshir - one of the rulers of Caucasian Albania (7th century). In Sulut village there are also remainders of Girkhotag fortress, Kharam tower and Khiraki defensive wall as well as Juma Mosque.
GABALA
Gabala district is located on the territory of Shaki-Zagatala zone, in the northwest part of Azerbaijan on the border of Dagestan and Georgia. This region has an ancient history;" it was inhabited already in times the Late Stone Age. Once it was a center of Caucasian Albania and then it became a part of Shirvanshah and Sheki Khanates, in successive order. The area is rich in walnut and chestnut trees. Here originates one of the climber routes to the tallest mountain of the republic - The Mountain of Bazarduzu (4466 above sea level).
Many monuments of history and culture have remained on the territory of the district. Their list includes a mosque of the 19th century in the village of Bum, an Albanian temple of the 4th century in Amili village, the Tower of Ustaszhan (9th century) in the village of Bayramkoha, the mosque of Gadzhi-Garib and the Albanian church Chotari in Nidzh, the mausoleums of Sheikhs Badreddin and Mansur (15th century) in Khazra village, a mausoleum of the 17th century in the village of Shefili and also "pirs" (burial places of people recognized as saint and pious persons during their lives): Shih-Baba (16th century) in Hamzelli village and Komrad on the top of Komrad Mountain.
On the mountain of Yaloylu archeologists found an ancient settlement site near the village of Nidzh. Archeological culture found here is typical for the north parts of Azerbaijan and was named "The Culture of Yaloylu Tepe". Among other findings there were weapons made of iron, wares of bronze and gold, millstones etc. The most developed crafts were woodworking (in Vandam village), pottery (in Gamarvan village), carpet weaving (in the villages of Laza and Bum). In the village of Bum there is a folk ensemble Zop-Zopa which successfully performed at various festivals abroad.
The village of Nidzh in Gabala district is a place of compact residence of Udines. This ethnic group is considered descendants of ancient Albans who managed to preserve their traditions, language, material and spiritual culture to present day.
There is also a large Museum of Regional History collecting numerous archeological objects found on the territory of the district.
OGHUZ
Oghuz district is located on south slopes of the Greater Caucasus in the Sheki-Zagatala zone. On the north this region is bordered by Russia. It is so beautiful that they call it Azerbaijani Switzerland. Slightly less than a half of its territory is occupied by forests. There are many waterfalls, sulfurated springs and thermal waters emerging on the surface. The place was inhabited already in the Late Stone Age. At the beginning of our era its territory became a part of Caucasian Albania, and in the 18th century it was incorporated into Sheki Khanate. Archeologists found ancient settlements sites near the villages of Kerimli and Garabaldir. Among the findings there were spearheads, bronze weapons, female sculptures made stone and staves.
On the territory of the district there are many ancient monuments of history and architecture: Dashuz Bridge (19th century) across Sari-Su River near the village of Khachmaz, a mosque of the 18th century in the village of Sindzhan, a mausoleum of the 15th century in Kerimli village, three-storied tower of the 14th century in the village of Muhas, Gabur defensive tower (7th-14th centuries) in the village of Khachmaz at the top of Galadag mountain, Gavurgala tower (7th century) located on the same mountain near Gabur tower but provided with drinking water, Surhaikhan tower (18th century) made of fluvial stone and located on the bank of Galachai river, near the village of Filfilli.
SHEKI
Sheki region is located on picturesque slopes of the Caucasus Mountains. Numerous monuments of early medieval architecture remained in the vicinity of Sheki. They include fortresses, watch towers, churches and ruins of monasteries dated to the period of Caucasian Albania. Among the most interesting objects are the monuments in the villages of Bideiz, Bash Kungut, Orta Deizit and, of course, the church in the village of Kish (2nd-4th centuries) built by St. Elias;" it is considered the earliest Christian construction on the territory of CIS. Presently, the church is being restored and reorganized into a museum. The town of Sheki is the major town of Sheki-Zagatala region, one of the most ancient and beautiful towns of Azerbaijan dated back to the 1st
The famous Sheki markets were a center of trade of seeds, engraved ware, and jewelry. Sheki silk was of different types - soft and opaque, thin and translucent, matted or embroidered in gold. Craftsmen of the town made a great contribution to the development of trade along the Great Silk Road. Sheki was a center of silk production of the whole Caucasus. In 1860 about 62239 poods of silk were produced in Nuha (Sheki) province. The first silkmill was constructed here in 1861 and it was one of the biggest in the world. At the international exhibition in 1862 in London Sheki silk was awarded with the gold medal.
With their magnitude, the Ashaghi and Yukhary caravanserai (18th century) evidence the advancement of trade in the Middle Ages. Near Sheki, on the west bank of the Kish River remained ruins of the ancient fortress "Gelersen-Gorersen" (come and you will see);" the name suggests that the defenders of the fortress were confident in its unassailability and in their determination not to let the enemies pass. In his novel "Khadzhi Murat" Leo Tolstoy made this fortress a place of action. The place has been visited by Dumas and Kempfer;" N. Raevsky wrote in one of his letters "our camp is situated in the forest of pomegranates, tamarisks and plain trees…Nuha is marvelous".
GAKH
The district of Gakh is located in the northwest part of the republic and is bordered by Georgia. In the south part of Gakh the climate is dry;" in the center it is temperate hot, alternated by subtropical wet;" in mountains it is cold, with uniform precipitations. As evident, four climate zones are represented here, on a relatively small territory. Temperature drops are significant: from -400 C at mountain tops to +400 C near Adjinour Lake. Located on the territory of the district is the State reserve "Ilisu" (covering an area of 9.2 hectares). The main protected objects of the reserve are middle-mountainous forests (90% of the territory). There are about 300 plant species, including 90 tree and bush species, a significant number of endemic and endangered species. The mountainous forests are inhabited by bears, wild cats and jackals. In the region of Ganyg-Airichai Valley there are good places for hunt and fishing.
There are remainders of historical monuments in the region. Mounds, found by archeologists, suggest that the region was inhabited already in the Bronze Age. An example of the original culture is the bridge Ulu Kerpu, dated to the18th century. Here archeologists found unique pitcher burials dated to the 1st century BC. Here, in Ilisu, remained a square Watch Tower, 10 meters -tall, dated to the 14th century. About the village there are many sulfurated thermal springs.
Remained near the village of Kum are monuments dated to the period of Caucasian Albania (fortress Sirtgala of 18th century, Kum Basilica, ruins dated to the 5th century, The Round Temple (7th century). In the village of Lekit there also remained a Temple Complex (12th century).
ZAGATALA
Zagatala district is located on ridges of the Greater Caucasus, in the northwest part of the republic. It is located 372 km from Baku. The northeast border of the district forms the border between Azerbaijan and Russia. Landscape is mountainous and plain;" climate is cold in mountains and warm on plains. There are many forests in the area;" however they are mostly located in mountains and foothills. In 1929 here, on the south slopes of the Great Caucasus Range was established a State Reserve "Zagatala", with the present area of 23843 hectares. It is located 650-3686 m above sea level and includes a part of not only Zagatala but also Belokani districts.
Historical monuments of the regions are located in the villages remained from ancient times. Remained in the villages of Gezbarah and Galal is a mosque dated to the 18th century, in Kebeloga village - two towers (14th century), in the village of Mazih - a tower of the 12th century, in the village of Yukhary Chardakhlar - Peri-Gala fortress-grotto (5th century), in Djar village - Jingez tower (14th century), in the same village there is a museum of regional history, in Pashan village - an Albanian tower (13th century), and another Albanian tower (12th century) in the village of Ahahdere. In various villages of the district, e.g. in Aliabad and Mosul remained mosques of the 19th century. In Zagatala there is a museum of regional history with a broad collection of medieval manuscripts
BALAKEN
Balaken district is located in the northwest part of Azerbaijan, on the south and west it is bordered by Georgia and on the north and east - by Russia. It is located 394 km from Baku. Landscape is diverse, mountains are alternated by plains. On lowlands climate is temperate warm, with dry winters, at foothills it is temperate warm with uniform precipitation, in mountains - cold with wet winter (annual humidity averages over 40%).
There are many mountainous rivers and a beautiful lake near the Katekh Mountain, on the north the area is occupied by forests. More than a half of the territory of the Zagatala reserve belongs to the district of Balaken. The reserve was established in 1929, it extents along the south slope of the Great Caucasus Range 650-3496 m above sea level. By the character of vegetation the territory of the reserve can be divided into mountain-forest (67.4%), and mountain-meadow zones. Flora includes more than a thousand of species, with rare ones (hornbeams, aldertree, oaks, walnuts, chestnuts, acacia and over 30 species of herbal plants) Fauna is rich, of special interest is the habitat of black Caucasian grouse in the area.
On the territory of the region remained many historical and architectural monuments. Archeologists revealed a number of places identified as ancient settlement sites dated to the Early Iron Age. E.G. 2 km off Mahamallar village by the rock Gubek there is a cave named Noho with the traces of a site dated to the Early Iron Age. At the same place, near the village of Mahamallar, there is a pitcher burial (2nd-1st centuries BC), a pir and ruins of residential buildings (5th-7th centuries), a mosque (18th century), a tower (19th century) and stronghold walls. There are also an underground reservoir and mosque dated to the 17th in the village of Gullar, mausoleum of the 14th century in Tul, temple of the 14th century in Hanifa, mosque of the 14th century in Halatala, Albanian temples in the villages of Hanifa and Mazimchai, Peri Tower (12th century) in Gullar village on the bank of Gumbez river. There are also remainders of an early medieval settlement site at the Meklakan Mountain.
Collected in the regional museum there are articles of traditional crafts, different archeological findings suggesting that the place was already inhabited in the Late Stone Age and other items evidencing the rich history of the region.