Shirvan is a historical area of Azerbaijan, located to the north of Baku, on south-east of Greater Caucasus. This is the place where the powerful state of Shirvanshakh until the XVI century with capital in Shamakhi.

Shamakhi

Shamakhi is one of the most ancient cities of Azerbaijan – its history counts 2.6-3 thousand years. It was exposed to natural disasters or conquests of foreign conquerors, but still had the power for revive from ruins and ash. The word Shamakhi is first of all associated with famous carpets, that have no equal in entire world, magnificent flower gardens, grape plantations, soft climate, mineral springs, pure mountain air and gorgeous nature, that attract a lot of tourists from all over the world. Mountains, covered with deciduous forests, lush green meadows and bushes gladden ones eye till vary late of autumn.

Shamakhi is attractive for tourism in winter too.

A settlement Pirgulu, with astrophysical observatory is 29 km to north-west to Shamakhi. In winter, a lot of snow and frost fans come to here, and summer is the right time for riding on horse.

10 km away from Shamakhi at the altitude of 1200 m above the sea level one can find Chukhuyurd settlement descendants of migrants from Russia- lettuces. Chukhuryurd is famous with its potato, sunflower-seed oil, amazing fruits and healthy mountain honey.

Close to Chukhuryurd the Jangi forest is located, behind which the canyon with thermal springs are.

Shamakhi district is distinct not just with its nature but architectural and historical monuments as well. Here is the famous Juma Maschid (XV), Pirmardakac mausoleum (XIII-XIV century), sacred place Imamzade, ruins of Gulistan castle (XI-XIII.), Caravan Saray (XIV) with underground bath, Kala-bugurt castle (XV-XVI) which looks like growing out of the steep rock, with palace of Shah, a unique water supply system and mausoleum Yeddi Gumbaz – a burial-vault of Shirvan khans and many-many other interesting sites.

Goychay

Goychay is a district on the North of Shirvan valley, famous with its pomegranate, sweet like honey, and famous Eastern plane trees, that are monuments of natura protected by the state. Some of them are 2 m in diameter and as high as 25 m and age over 400 years.

Goychay Galasi is a land with very ancient history, proved by settlements of II century A.D.

If you are lucky to get here, you should definitely see such monuments of old time as Surkhay Tower (XII-XIV), Haji Jalil’s Mosque, as well a unique underground bath.

Ismailli

The land on the southern slopes of Greater Caucasus is berried in verdure. Out of 9 climatic zones, available in Azerbaijan 3 are in Ismailli. Climate in valley is hot and temperate, and cold in mountains.

Dense forests, mountains, rocks, raging rivers, waterfalls, rich fauna … – in short, the nature was generous to this land. This is exactly the place where the great Russian poet Lermontov had heard the dastan (poem) about Ashug Garib, which underlined his poem with the same name.

The village Ivanivka built by descendants of Russian lettuces is built. A unique village Laghich, located at the altitude of 1200 meters, famous with its production of arms, copper engraved crockery is a cultural-historical preserve of the country. One will see a lot of monuments of old times – mosques Bedovun, Zavara and Agollu, the spring Zavara, etc. Another cultural-historical preserve of the district is Basgal village.

After all, Ismailli district is rich with architectural monuments. Visit the Maiden Tower (XI-XII) in Khanagali village, ruins of fortress Kharam, Girkhotag castle, the mosque Juma, as well as Firdagh in Sulut village, where, according to legend, Macedonian Alexander stop on his way, look at the ruins of Gasimkhan village close to Galajig village and other sites of Ismailli – you will be sure of antiquity of this distinct land yourself.

Gabala

Gabala district, with administrative center in Gabala city adjoining Tarandagh mountain is a unique and the most beautiful region of the country.

Its main sight is ancient Gabala, the ruins of which are 15 km away from the city. Gabala was mentioned in scripts of I century and was the capital of Caucasian Albania for 600 years.

Modern Gabala is located on the bank or Damieaparanchay (river that can take away ion or metal) and has a nice view on to the snowy peaks pf Greater Caucasus.

Gabala district with its rivers, chestnut and walnut grove and mineral springs is the ideal place for leisure.

Moreover, there are dozens of monuments of old times, including Albanian temple (IV-VII centuries), ruins of the ancient defense tower (IX-XI), Tower Ustajan (IX-XIV), a number of mausoleums and other historical sights.

Close to Gabala, on the Yaloylu mountain there was a settlement of ancient man dated III-I centuries B.C. Different items made of stone, ion, bronze and gold witness their existence.

In other words, if you are interested in antiquities you will find things to look at here!