Norhtern route Azerbaijan
NORTHERN ROUTE: KHIZI-SIAZAN-DEVECHI-GUBA-KHACHMAZ-NABRAN-GUSAR
KHIZI
Khizi district is located in so called Guba-Khachmaz region and is the least distant from Baku (70 km) among all administrative districts of the republic. Climate is temperate with low precipitations. The east part of the district is formed by the Caspian coast. On the road to Khizi, 10 km away from Baku-Rostov road one can observe an interesting natural phenomenon: emergence of different geological layers on the surface forming an original pattern of landscape. Specialists believe that such geological phenomenon can be observed in only one more place on Earth - in the Valley of Death, in the USA. Here, in Khizi district, is located one of the most beautiful reserves in the country - "Alti Agac". 90% of its area is occupied by forests. The reserve has been established with the purpose of restoration and prevention of erosion processes occurring in southeast mountainsides of the Greater Caucasus and preservation of rare animal and plant species. Eight kilometers away from Khizi there is another resort named "Gizilgazma".
SIAZAN
Siyazan district is located to the north of the capital and extends along the Caspian coast. Its climate is semi desert and dry and the landscape features fragments of sparse woods and bushes. Local fauna includes wolves, desert cats, jackals, hares etc. The coastal zone is a home to many water birds.
Located here in the Early Middles Ages was the second line of the Caspian defense zone. It has been included in the list of historical and cultural monuments of Azerbaijan under the name of Gilgilchai Defensive Structures and is protected by the state. As a part of "Caspian Defensive Structures" it has been nominated by UNESCO for the inclusion in the list of World Legacy Monuments. Archeologists revealed that Gilgilchai Defensive Construction was built in ancient times, before our era, and that it was constantly reinforced and fortified. The wall originates in the very sea (level of the Caspian Sea varies from year to year) and extends many kilometers, rising to mountains where it terminates with the grand watch tower of Chirag Gala (5th century). The tower is worth ascending to: aside of historical importance, it features an astounding view from the mountain top over the sea and nearby mountains.
Here, between the sea and ridges of the Caucasus Mountains there is a very convenient passage from Azerbaijan to the north, to other countries. The magnitude of the construction and defensive significance of the wall and fortresses (they also secured the approaches to the Great Silk Road) make them a rival of the famous Great Wall in China. However, this object has not been restored yet. Fragments of another defensive line, Beshbarmak, remained near the village of Zarat. Residents call these ruins Khizirzinda Baba. Not far from another village - Sedan, there are remainders of Dindar fortress.
DEVECHI
Devechi district is located to the north of Baku and its eastern border extends along the Caspian coast. The name of the district originates from the word "cameleer";" evidently, it is connected to the development of caravan roads. On the territory of Devechi district, 12 km away from the coast, is located a hunting estate Agzi Bir which covers an area of 11,8 sq km. Water birds and otter hunt as well as fishing are available here. On the territory of Agzi Bir are located three communicating lakes with the outlet to the sea. With small houses and boats the place is well suited to accommodate hunters. The landscape is very diverse - plains, foothills, rocks and mountains. Very popular among local residents and tourists is Kechi Gaja with sulfurated mineral springs and a river flowing between rocks. Historical and archeological monuments of the region include ruins of the famous settlement Shabran (5th-18th centuries) near the village of Shakhnazarli. Shabran was one of the largest trade and craft centers of medieval Azerbaijan. Silk production, pottery and glass-blowing were especially developed in this area. During the excavations archeologists found fragments of a 14th century aqueduct which provided the city with drinking water from a spring located 10 km away.
The settlement Gulistani Irem (18th-19th centuries) is located in the village of Gandob. Numerous archeological objects dated to the 3rd-2nd millennia BC have also been found in the district of Devechi. One can survey the materials found during the excavation at the Devechi Museum of Regional History.
GUBA
Guba district with the population is located 168 km from Baku and 600 m above sea level. It is one of the most advanced agricultural districts in Azerbaijan - local vegetables and fruits are transported to the capital's markets for sale, undergo processing at local canning factories, and are exported abroad. In spite of a large number of various fruit and vegetable species growing in the district every Azerbaijani first associates Guba with its apple orchards.
The famous Afurdzhi waterfall on Velvelichai River is included in the list of "Monuments of Azerbaijani Nature" and is protected by the state. There are other waterfalls too, attracting tourists and travelers with their uniqueness and originality. Taking tourist paths over these picturesque nature spots and climbing higher to the mountains, one can observe tall trees being alternated with bushes and even higher, by the river of Khashichai, there are thermal springs with water jetting out the rocks of a mountain canyon. These places were once visited by French writer Alexander Dumas. While taking a break at the camp near the road he was invited to the fireplace by Guba residents that had also decided to take some rest and refresh themselves. He was very impressed by the skill Gubans cut the ram with and by the taste of kebab (shashlik) which they served him. The greatest modern traveler, Norwegian scientist Thor Heyerdahl also stopped in Guba during his visit to Azerbaijan as he had been speculating that "aces" mentioned in the "Edda" epic were the most ancient ascendants of Azerbaijanis that moved to the north of Europe during the Great Migration of Nations.
Here, in Guba district, 65 km from Guba is located a mountainous (2500 m above sea level) settlement Khinalig whose population constitutes a unique, separate ethnographic group. Residents of Hinalig speak an archaic language unrelated to any modern language of the world. The language is highly preserved although the locals also speak Azerbaijani. The phenomenon of Khinalig is a major enigma in not only in the history of Azerbaijan but in the world history, too. Near Khinalig there is a sanctuary (9th century) where natural emergence of fire to the surface of earth can be observed. Due to this phenomenon the place was called Ateshgah by local residents, the name meaning "The Temple of Fire". Remained in the village of Budug, whose population also constitutes a separate ethnic group with its rare language is an ancient construction named Dakhma - "The Tower of Silence", dated to the Zoroastrian ages. The towers were designed for Zoroastrian burial ceremonies.
Also remained in the town preserved are such historical monuments as the mosque of Sakine Khanum, Juma mosque, mausoleum of the 16th century and ancient eastern-type baths.
KHACHMAZ
The district of Khachmaz occupies a part of Samur-Devechi lowlands and is located on the northwest part of Azerbaijan. It is located 157 km from Baku. On the north it is bordered by Russia. Its territory is traversed by major roads and a railway (Baku-Moscow). Climate in the district is of temperate dry semi deserts and dry steppes. Nevertheless, over 20 hectares of its territory are occupied by forests. There are three artificial lakes and plentiful of springs, including thermal and mineral. Traces of settlements dated to the late Stone and Bronze Ages have been found on the territory of the region. About 60 monuments of history and culture have been found on the territory of the district. However experts believe that their number should be much higher since the region was already densely inhabited in the earliest times. Settlements and mounds of the Bronze Age have been found near the villages of Mollaburkhan, Khulovlu, Garadzhik, Khasangala, and the Middle Age settlements - near the villages of Dzhanakhir and Bostanchi. The Mosque of Sheikh Yusuf (15th century) remained in the village of Shikhlar. It belongs to the early onset of architectural mausoleum complexes, which became widespread later, in the 16th-17th centuries. In the villages of Morug Oba, Tagar Oba and Uzun Oba remained a mosque dated to the 19th century, in Garagurtlu village - a mosque and madrasah dated to the 15th century.
NABRAN
Nabran is the largest recreational region in the Hachmaz district, situated on the Caspian shore. An interesting feature of the place is that right after the edge of sand the beach directly turns to a forest which hosts various tourist facilities, camps, pensions and resorts. Their conditions vary from comfortable first-rate luxury hotels and cozy cottages for small number of visitors to camp towns.
GUSAR
The district of Gusar borders Dagestan and is located in the northeast part of Azerbaijan It is located 183 km of Baku and 35 km from the Khudat railway station. Landscape of the territory is an alternation of mountains and plains covered with forests. There is also a beech forest called "Alistan Baba" (7 hectares) protected by the state. In mountain canyons one may observe beautiful waterfalls, the most popular of which, Laza and Shakhnabaz attract a great number of tourists and fanciers of wild nature of the Caucasus. Mountains and peaks of the district attract many climbers while local waterfalls have lately become a center of winter competitions. There is a walking path from the village of Laza to Khinalig village located in Guba district, the route becoming increasingly popular among foot travelers.
Taking a route from Gusar to the village of Sudug (75 km) located on the slopes of Shakhdag Mountain, in the village of Khazra one may survey the ancient mausoleum of Sheikh Dzhuneid (16th century), the grandfather of Shah Ismail Khatai, the founder of Azerbaijani State of Sefevids. This land, as the whole land of Azerbaijan, retains traces of ancient culture and life of its inhabitants. Remained in the villages of Khazra, Khil, Balagusar, Anig, Yasab, Keine Khudat and Gunduz Gala are ancient mausoleums, mosques, remainders of antique settlement sites and fortresses.
Gusar town is the administrative center of the district.. The town was visited by a brilliant Russian poet M. Lermontov. There is a museum bearing his name in the town.
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