Things to do in Shamakhi

Juma Mosque of Shamakhi

The most outstanding landmark in Shamaki is undoubtedly the Juma Mosque, one of Azerbaijan's largest and most magnificent places of worship. Dating back to 743 AD, it is the second oldest mosque in the Caucasus region and the oldest in Azerbaijan. Reconstruction of the Juma Mosque was undertaken by Azerbaijan in 2013. Since its initial construction, the Juma Mosque has undergone numerous destructions and reconstructions. Notably, it was reduced to ruins by a devastating earthquake in 1859 and suffered further damage during ethnic conflicts in 1918. Beyond its historical and religious significance, visitors can also quietly appreciate the elegance and tranquility emanating from this historical site.

Alpaca Azerbaijan

Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Azerbaijan

Sheki Khan's Palace

Sheki Khan's Palace is tucked away in the fortress courtyard on the high ground in the northeast of the old city of Sheki, and was once the summer palace of the Sheki Khan. This two-story building, along with the pool and old plane trees in the courtyard, has been preserved and later converted into a museum. It is not large in size, over 30m long and less than 10m wide. The layout of the upper and lower floors is the same, with three rooms lined up in a row, connected by a south-facing open corridor. The first floor was where the Khan received guests and handled affairs, while the second floor was for the family's living and entertaining. The outer walls are decorated with geometric patterns made of dark blue, turquoise, and ochre tiles. The interior walls are covered with murals, featuring patterns of flowers in vases and plants, and in the halls upstairs, you can also see entire scenes of hunting and warfare. A distinctive attraction here is the stained glass window called Shebeke, where thousands of pieces of colored glass are embedded into fine wooden grids. The entire structure uses no glue or nails, relying entirely on interlocking wood pieces, creating a display of shimmering light when sunlight passes through.

No. 1 of Night Attractions in Azerbaijan

Old City Baku

Old City Baku is the historic core of Baku, enclosed by ancient city walls. Its history is generally believed to date back at least to the 12th century, though some scholars suggest its origins can be traced as far back as the 7th century. The Old City is adjacent to the Caspian Sea, with cobblestone streets winding along the slopes. Local families still live deep within the alleys, where old buildings, workshops, and residences stand side by side. Walking through them, you can both sense the weight of the historical sites and encounter the vibrant local life of Baku. The charm of the Old City is also hidden in its small alleys. In the Middle Ages, it was a frequent stop for caravans. The Multani Caravanserai and Bukhara Caravanserai, which hosted merchants from India and Central Asia, still stand today. The alleys are lined with carpet workshops, handicraft shops, and souvenir stalls, as well as many traditional restaurants serving local dishes like pilaf and kebabs.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Baku

Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape

Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape is located in the semi-desert hills southwest of Baku and is an open-air site famous for its prehistoric rock carvings. The petroglyphs are concentrated on three exposed rocky hills, including Boyukdash and Kichikdash. Dating from the Upper Paleolithic tens of thousands of years ago to the Middle Ages, themes such as hunting, bullfighting, group dancing, camel caravans, and the sun and stars are superimposed on the rock surfaces. The carvings of reed boats with rows of rowers are particularly striking, resembling later Nordic longships. Scattered among the rocky hills are caves, settlements, and burial sites once inhabited by ancient people; the cave known as "Seven Beauties" features paintings of women participating in hunting. The "Gaval Dash" (tambourine stone) at the entrance is a long stone slab that produces a crisp sound similar to a tambourine when struck with a small stone, serving as a natural percussion instrument left by ancient people. The Latin inscription at the foot of Boyukdash Mountain, created by a Roman legion centurion in the 1st century AD, is a rare piece of evidence of Roman presence reaching the shores of the Caspian Sea. A petroglyph museum is located next to the entrance, using unearthed artifacts and video materials to recreate scenes of prehistoric life. You can visit the exhibition first before heading up the mountain to explore the rock carvings.

Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory

Shamakhi

Shirvan Wines Llc

Shirvan Wines Llc is one of the wine producers in Azerbaijan and is also certified by the EU as an organic producer. One of their 40-hectare vineyards was planted in 2014 and harvested in 2017. The vineyard area has grown to approx. 310 hectares, and a museum, restaurant, and hotel have been established, offering winery tours where visitors can taste three types of organic wine made from unique French grape varieties.

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