Silk Road on Azerbaijan
THE GREAT SILK ROUTE
Information about Azerbaijan’s relationships with the civilization of the east and the West is recorded in written sources, in many archaeological, linguistic & ethnographic data. The old paths of the silk “highways” unchangeably went through Azerbaijan. Our ancestors’ country played the role of golden gates to the mysterious and rich China and Europe. Such a route was originally chosen by Chinese merchants, travellers and royal advisors? This was not done by accident. The main transportation corridors at the time depended not on availability of water and food at caravans’ stopping points. Transnational ways went, as a rule, through countries where travellers and merchants found a high enough level of civilization and culture, peace, and local people’s willingness to cooperate. This complex of qualities was found in Azerbaijan. Besides, the hardworking and talented Azeri craftsmen had a lot of goods to offer to foreign merchants, and the land itself- a lot of natural resources. Being great negotiators, the merchants immediately understood then great profit of the “charter travels” through Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan was known in the entire East for its delicate jewellery works, wooden and metal musical instruments, brass as well as string. Besides, the country had many rare goods-crude oil, precious stones, mercury, alum, carpets. Metal works, especially production of weapons, reached a very high level at the time. Daggers decorated by intricate patterns were highly valued both in Asia and in the West. Most important weaponry centres were in Baku, Tebriz, Shemahy and Ganja.
Of great popularity were copper items too-plates, cups, basins, kettles, boilers, trays, jugs, candlesticks and even astronomical apparatuses. Even today Azeri craftsmen in the village named Lagich continue to work in those ancient traditions. The secrets of manufacture are passed on from generation to generation. Back in the ancient time eastern merchants came here to provide Azeri with silk fabrics, china, vases, plates, paper and medicine, and bought carpets, weapons, jewellery, as well as salt, fish glue and oil products.
Some suggest that silkworm was brought to Azerbaijan from China. In medieval times silk became one of the most profitable businesses. In IX-X centuries Arabic geographers noted significant development of silk industry in Shemahy, Barda, Sheki and Ganja. These cities also exported raw silk and silk fabrics abroad. Shemahy soon turned into one of the main markets trading silk between East & West. Merchants from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, India, central Asia and Russia came here. Manufactures from Venice and Florence came here to purchase raw silk for highest prices, considering it extremely costly. Sheik became the largest silk-producing centre in the entire Caucasus region. Thus, talking today about the significance of the ancient Silk road in all countries of Eurasia, on should not forget Azerbaijan’s role in it. Receiving the relay of civilized trade, cultural links and progress in international exchange, this small country in South Caucasus became one of the most important segments of the Silk Road, where all different cultures at different times and in different aspects –material, moral and spiritual-crossed their paths.
EXCURSION PROGRAMME FOR TOURISTS ARRIVING TO AZERBAIJAN BY ROUTE “SILK WAY”
I Day
Arrival in. Meeting at airport. Accommodation in hotel . Dinner at hotel. Excursion to the old Icheri Sheher (Inner City). Visit to the Ensemble of Shirvanshahs’ Palace (XIII A.D) Maiden tower, Caravanserais. To have a lunch in restaurant “Mugam club” following entertainment show program.
II Day
To have a breakfast in hotel. Excursion to historical-art reserve “Gobustan”. Dinner in restaurant “Chanakhqala”. Excursion to Fire worshippers Temple “Ateshgah”. Lunch in hotel restaurant.
III Day
Breakfast .Departure to Ismayilli district village Lahich. Organization of excursion to craftspeople shop & getting acquaintance with the national creativity of historical-cultural reserve.
Arrival to Gabala. Accommodation in hotel “Karavan”. Dinner in hotel. Excursion to historical complex “Chukhur-Gabala”. Visit to rest zone “Seven beauties”. Lunch –tasting national cuisine with accompany of music in hotel “Karvan”.
IV Day
To have a breakfast in hotel. Departure from Gabala. Arrival to Sheki. Accommodation in hotel “Shaki”. Having lunch in hotel. Excursion around city. Visit to Palace of Sheki Khans (XVIII A.D.), resort zone “Markhal”, fortress “Galarsan-Gorarasan”. Lunch in restaurant “Karavan-saray” with accompany of folk songs & dances.
V Day- I variant
Breakfast. Departure from Sheki. Arrival to city Ganja. Accommodation in hotel “Ganja”. Dinner in hotel. Excursion along the city with visit Nizami Mausoleum, Juma- mosque (XIX A.D.), Imamazadeh (XVI A.D.) Lunch –tasting national cuisine by accompany show program.
VI Day
Breakfast in hotel. Departure to airport.
V Day- II variant
Breakfast. Departure to Tbilisi
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