Ganjabasar… This is exactly how the city Ganja and its neighborhood frequently called. Before beginning of XIX century the Ganja Khanate was here. Apart from Ganja this area covers one of the most young and modern cities of Azerbaijan - Mingachevir.

Ganjabasar, from time immemorial, is considered to be one of beautiful and vivid regions of the country. Since very old times people traveled from all over the Azerbaijan to have rest and enjoy marvelous nature because this is exactly the place there the one of the most beautiful lakes in the country, the pearl of Azerbaijan – Gey-Gol is located on the territory of the National Preserve of the same name.

Ganja

Gnaja is the second in terms of both size and significance city of Azerbaijan, that played an enormously great role in the history of the country. Based on one of the version it was built B.C., based on the other – sometime around beginning of Middle Ages. This city suffered a lot of challenges and natural cataclysms. Thus, a strong earthquake in 1139 around Ganja resulted in enormous destructions. However, the nature apparently decided to «compensate» the losses and made that with generosity of kings: 8 amazingly beautiful lakes, including famous Goy-Gol, appeared as a result of the earthquake.

Ganja was always a big center of culture and arts. Famous Nizami was creating and buried here. Actually, these two names – Ganja and Nizami – are indissoluble. A museum, gallery of arts and poetry theatre were named after Nizami. His mausoleum is an architectural symbol of the city.

Another similarly famous monument of architecture – Juma Maschid (Friday mosque) (XVI c.) – is the central mosque of the city.

Other mosques are also of great interest for tourists. Big and small bridges over Ganja-chay (Ganja river) (XII c.), Palace of the ruler of the city (XII c.), complex of buildings Imamzadeh and other historical sights of the city are not less interesting for tourists. We advise you to definitely visit the ruins of castle walls (XVI c.). Exactly in Ganja, the building of the first Parliament of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan (1918-1920) is located. Right in front of it there is a city park «Khanbaghi» – a favorite place for residents and guests of the city for a walk.

If you want to visit Ganja, you should definitely see the local wonder – a two flour building coated with 50 000 bottles.

Almost 40 km away of Ganja, near the northern slope of Murovdagh ridge, at the altitude of 1566 meters above the sea level a wonderful lake Goy-Gol (Blue Lake) is located. This lake called a blue lake because of unusual purity of its waters. It looks like a pearl in a green diadem of trees, surrounding it all around. A preserve was created here in 1965.

Haji-kand – a resort area is located around the lake and another wonderful mountain lake – Maral-gol which competes in terms of beauty with Goy-Gol is close by.

Mingachevir

Mingachevir is situated on the bank of Kur river. This is a young industrial city, which is over 50 years old. It was build at the place of ancient settlements, mentioned in written sources of middle ages.

Mingachevir water reservoir is the heart of the city. It serves as an intake for irrigation of fertile but arid lands. In 1954, the famous Mingachevir Power Plant was built here – it produces over a half of power resources of the country and has become a symbol of the city.

Archeological excavations conducted near the city on the territory of town Sudagilan, discovered and ancient settlement with ancient Greek, Roman and Sasanid coins, stone foundation of column with Albanian script and other unique items.

In Mingachevir itself, there are a lot of modern buildings, including new mosque, with fascinating architecture.

Tourists are usually in fond of visiting comfortable chay-khanas (tea-house) and local restaurants, located on the pictorial banks of river Kur.

Goranboy

Goranboy is an administrative center of the district of the same name, distinct with unique culture and history. A city-castle Shatal, which was mentioned in written documents of V-VI century and was destroyed in 1231 during Mongolian conquest, is very close to the city.

Goranboy district is utterly rich with historical and architectural monuments. It is notable, that a number of ancient settlement, including ancient city, dated first thousand years B.C. (near Goran station), Gochtepe – ancient settlement of bronze age, Tepeyazilan, dated middle ages are located on the territory of this district.

A number of ancient towers, mausoleums and mosques are also interesting for tourists.

However, the most pride of the district is the resort-recreation city Naftalan with its main treasury and unique naftalan oil – treatment for a number of neurological, urological, dermatological diseases, problems with joints, muscular-skeleton system, etc. there is an antic legend about Medea giving Jason an ointment to protect him from fire.

Big caravans, loaded with this wonderful ointment of naftalan oil were departing from here in ancient time to far away countries. During Russian-Japan war Japanese soldiers kept that in their field bags. There was a label on the can with ointment «should you have this ointment forget about wounds». if you happen to go to Naftalan, definitely visit Naftalan museum. The crutches left here by patient who got treated will absolutely convince you in magic power of naftalan oil. Few days in this resort will make you fresh and healthy for years.