Distance with Baku: 225 km
Population: 97,2 thsd person
How to reach: Bus-> Scheduler bus Baku-Gabala
Main sightseeing of Gabala district is ancient Kabala, having been reminded in written sources of the 1st century (Pliney and others). It existed more than 1800 years, out of them 600 years it had been capital of Albania Caucasian. Ruins of the ancient town are in 15 km from regional center, allocated on the territory between Garachay and Jourluchay rivers.
In Gabala district there are planted tobacco, barley, wheat; mulberry filature to being ranched. Administrative center of the area – Gabala town being situated on the right side of Demiraparanchay bank River. In clear weather from the town, it is possible to contemplate the highest top of Azerbaijan – Bazarduzu Mountain. Alongside the area territory, Tikanlichay, Gumchay, Demiraparanchay and Vendemchay rivers and others flow thereon.
In surroundings of Gabala being enriched with nut and chestnut boscages, there are many sources of mineral waters and rills with pure key water. By bright sightseeing of the area is chestnut grove, allocated on mountain slopes at a height of 1000 m. In spring, that grove presents beautiful eyeful scene. Mid age of each tree exceeds 500 years. Some of them are inserted into the list of trees being under custodial by government.
The city is located in a remarkably beautiful place that is also called the "Azerbaijani Switzerland".
In the district, there are hundreds of monuments of history and culture being stored. Among them we may highlight the following: Albanian temple of IV-VIII centuries in Emli village; mosque of XIX century in Bum village; Ustajan tower of IX-XIV centuries in Bayramkokha village; Mausoleum of XVII century in Shefily village; Shikh-baba`s banquet of XVI century in Khamzeli village; Komrad banquet allocated at the top of Komrad Mountain; mosque of Haji Garib and living house of Bolu-Bey XIX century – in Nij village. In khazra village there are kept original Mausoleum of Sheykhs of Badreddin and Mansur, being referred to XV century.
Not far from Nij village on the top of Yaloylu mountain in III-I centuries A.D. there were existed some settlement. There were found out ferrous knives, dirks, swards, bronzed rings, golden earrings, burrs and other articles. Archeological culture of the aforesaid epoch, having been spread out in the northern mountain and steeped areas of Azerbaijan, was called as Culture of Yaloylu.
Administrative center – Gabala city that adjoins to spurs of Shahdag Mountain. In Gabala, there are ancient defensive tower of IX-XI centuries, Imam-Mausoleum of XVIII-XIX centuries. Juma mosque; there is big historical Regional Museum available.
All this attracts tourists to Gabala. One can say about the tourist boom in Azerbaijan, in particular in Gabala, especially during the last 7-8 years.
The Azerbaijani government pays great attention to the tourism development in the country. The second part of the program of attracting the tourists, establishing new hotels started in 2010. This direction of development will give a new impetus to the economy of the town and attract new funds here.
At present, there are several resorts and tourist centers. One can relax comfortably in the woods, on the shores of a beautiful lake, as well as visit the ancient ruins and beautiful waterfalls. Two five-star complexes with a capacity of 1,000 rooms each have been opened not far from the town. There are also tiny family-type hotels. A small number of guests may be accommodated there.
Qabala is a small town, so the industry has not been developed well here. There are a tobacco factory, a cement plant and a cannery. A plant manufacturing pianos of the famous European brand Beltman has been recently opened. It would be a pity to spoil the amazing landscape and ecology of this heavenly place with factory chimneys.
Distance with Baku: 345 km
Population: 54,1 thsd person
How to reach: Bus-> Scheduled bus Baku-Tbilisi-Gakh – 9 hours;
By train. Baku-Barda-Balakan – 10 hours
Gakh district is situated in the northern – west side of Azerbaijan and being bounded with Georgia. Alongside the border, there are running Kumruk, Gashgachay, and Ayrichay Rivers. By luxury of mountains is lake and waterfalls. Climate on the south of the area is subtropical, in the center – hot moderate, in half it is humid subtropical, in the highest mountain atop – cold. The most highest temperature in winter – on mountaintops - 45 C. On the territory of the area there is allocated Ilisu national park. In mountain woods there are habituated wolves, mountain goats, wild cats, wolfs, boars, jackals. In the area of Ganig-Airichay valley, there are splendid places for hunting amateurs and fishing. The most picturesque places being existed in the area are in the distance of 12-20 km of the center. Trip cost leading to those sites is ranged from 2000 to 5000 manats.
Administrative center of Gakh district – small Gakh city being situated at altitude more than 500 meters above sea level on nasty Kurmukhchay River beneath woody mountains of the southern slope of the Big Caucasus. The name of Gakh was taken in translation that envisages “fortress”. In 6 km to northweatern side from Gakh, there is available Agchay village – picturesque village among fruit orchards and maiden forest. More impressive is high mountain Ilisu village (former capital of Sultanat) having been allocated at height of 1400-1600 m over the sea level in 12 km to the northest from Gakh city. The village is surrounded by sulfur mineral sources possessing by healthcare properties.
In Gakh area there were still exist many historical monuments, ruins of fortresses. Having been found out in the result of archeological diggings, burial-mounds witness on their belonging to bronzed century. In Illis village there is preserved 4- angled 10 meter guarding tower (XIV century) and Sumug fortress in the center of which there is mosque standing. Sumug fortress was preserved in memory of nation as one of combated bulwark of the ultimate Ilisu sultan Daniel-Bey, brave copartner of sheyh Shamil.
Here you can find out the more radish ancient citadel – archeological memorials – cemetery of jug sepultures (I Age of B.C.)
By the sample of an ancient architectonic is the bridge of XVIII century Ulu Korpu. On the road leading from Gakh towards Zagatala nearby Termechi village there is narrow pathway led to the thick of age-old oaks, to the grave of Haji Murat – Shamil naib. On the grave it is set up rocky plate with inscription in Arabic language “Here it was buried the ancient martyr, avar Haji Murat Khunza”.
In Kum village, there are available memorials of Caucasian Albania period: around temple, ruins of structure V-VII centuries, Sirtgala fortress (XVIII century), unique constructions of worship purpose – Kum basilica. In village of Lekit, there you might find out temple structures (XII-XIII centuries).
Distance with Baku: 372 km
Population: 121,3 thsd person
How to reach: Bus-> Scheduled bus Baku-Zagatala – 9 hours;
By train - Baku-Barda-Balakan – 11 hours.
Zagatala district is allocated on the north-west of Azerbaijan, at rocked bed slopes of the Big Caucasus. On the north-east part, the area is bounded with Dagestan Republic of Russian Federation, on the west and on the east – relevantly with Balaken and Gakh districts. Landscape being existed in the north and northeast sides is mountain, and in the south and southwest is flatted. The highest point is Guton mountain (3648 m). Climate at the plain is warm, in mountains – cold. The mid temperature of January on the plain - 1 C, in mountains - 10 C, mid temperature of July accordingly +24 C and +5 C. Level of precipitation constitutes 600-1600 mm a year. Half of the territory of the area is occupied with woods, basically, in mountains. It grows rare the most valuable types of trees: chestnuts, hazelnuts, nuts, filbert, oak, beech, hornbeam, garagaj and others. At the plain, the greenery is privilege like bushes. Noble deer, it is habituated pheasant, snowbird, partridge, turaj, mountain eagle, hawk, nightingale and others.
Having founded in 1929 Zagatala national park occupies part of the area territory. Square of the reserve constitutes 23844 Hectares. In the National park, it is forbidden to carry out any economic activity, but there are conditions available for ecological tourism. Having making walk tour or on horses upon tourist routes one may watch animals and birds habituated in reserves, make camera shooting and photo. At the aforesaid routes there are places where tourists might have relaxation term and to stay at night. It is presumably hunting on pheasant and water floating bird and running to such animals as wild bore, hare. In outskirts of Gas village, you may have skating in winter. Zagatala – international region.
Herein in conjunction with Azerbaijanis, there live representatives of more than 20 nations: Avars, Tsakhurs, Russian, Lezghins, Tatars, Ingiloys and others.
On the territory of the area there were kept numerous architectural and historical memorials. Among them: mosques of XVIII centuries in Gezbarakh and Galal villages; tower of XII century and mosque of XVIII century in Mazikh village; two monuments of XIV century in Kebeloba village; Peri tower in Yukhari Chardakhlar village; albanian tower of XIII century in Pashan village; Chingezgala tower of XIV century in Jar village; Albanian tower of XII century in Akhakhdere village; Juma-mosque of XIX century in I Tala village; mosques of XIX century in many villages, inclusive in villages of Mosul and Aliabad.
District center, Zagatala city is allocated at height of 535 meters over the sea level, on Talachay riverbank.
They suppose that the name of Zagatala is originated from transformation of the name “Zaki talasi” (Zaki glade), on behalf of man, who the first with his family is founded at that territory.
Climatic conditions of Zagatala are allowed to transfer the city into mountain climatic resort. There is park of culture and recreation occupying square of 14 Hectares. Beside the park there is allocated ancient fortress, having been built in period of late medieval age, in which seamen from armadillo “Potemkin” had stayed under guard warriors. To participant of rebel S.Demashko there is monument had been set up in the park of culture and resort. In one of picturesque corners of the city there is installed memorial dedicated to S.Gaziyeva – the first woman – mechanical man, being sat at the wheel of cotton picker car. In the city there is interesting natural monument to exist – tree, age of which makes 800 years.
Distance with Baku: 305 km
Population: 175,7 thsd person
How to reach: Bus-> Scheduled bus Baku-Sheki;
Train: Baku-Barda-Balaken – 8 hours
Sheki district is one of the most interesting, original and beautiful areas of Azerbaijan. Administrative district center – Sheki city being allocated at picturesque southern slopes of Big Caucasian Ridge on the background of white snow tops – one of the most ancient cities of Azerbaijan.
By the period of Sheki to be founded is considered the first thousand years of A.D. Presumable age of the city – 2500-2600 years. Its name it received from saki tribe being lived in the past. Ancient Sheki was at route of commercial ways and was huge trading center and district of developed silky and handicraft manufacturing. All travelers in all ages by the first case they had visited bazaars. At the famous Sheki bazaars it was happened brisk market of seeds, silk, ceramic products, relief dishes, jewelry decorations. However, most part of all Sheki city gained honor by its silk. Merchants from Europe, Asia, Middle East brought out towards countries of the world, airy, transparent as veil sewed with the golden silk. We may just guess what liveliness was reigned in those places, when in the past via here was passed the Great Silk Way. By not less popularity were used as well as such amazing beauties as Sheki carpets.
One having stayed once at those lands, friend of Pushkin, general Rayevski, in 1826 wrote to his parents as follows: “The country, which I am passing through, is admirable; our camp is standing in forest of pomegranate, tamarisks, chinar…Nukha city is fantastic, this is Bakhchisaray in the highest level… . there are available palace of previous khans of that land, which is very beautiful and on which Bakhchisaray palace gives only weak imagination”. Majority of archeological monuments might witness on many century history of Sheki: Juyurlu burial-mounds, Dashuz, Yonjali necropolis (II century B.C.), ancient settlement Gotur-tepe settlement Salman-dere (bronzed century), tower and settlement of Dakhna and others.
Sheki district, as per right, they call architectural wildlife sanctuary of the Republic. Special impression being imposed upon tourists is the Palace of Sheki khans (1762) – rare combination example of national architectonic in conjunction with tradition of palace architecture. It is interesting to take a look either at the ancient dwelling house allocated in the city, being as if minified and modest copy of Sheki khans palace. There are pictures, having been painted on walls with oil paints, gracious shebeke on windows might ideate special value. Central hall of the house is decorated by fireplace with painting of calligraphic inscription wishing happiness and welfare to that house. Up to our days there are it were stored Ashagi and Yukhari caravanserais in Sheki, having been built in XVIII century. The dome of the second one is one of the largest in the Middle East.
In four kilometres to the north of Sheki on the western Kish river bank, at Garatepe mountain atop there were stored ruins whilom having been inexpugnable for enemies of “Galarsan – gorersen” fortress (come and see.). long years it safeguarded approaches to the city, not less acts of breviaries had been wrote by its defendants into the history of fight with foreign oppressors. Not randomly, Lev Tolstoy, in the well-known novel “Haji Murat”, by place of events had selected Sheki fortress. Having entered into the town you will be shown the grave of the well-known Haji-Murat, died here at one of battles. Many other historical monuments have been saved in Sheki district. The follownigs czn be noticed. Albanian temple in village of Kish allocated on the bank of Kish River and made from the hewed big stones named “shirima”. Temple of VI-VII centuries in Orta Zaysid village made from “shirima” as well. House-museum of M.F.Akhundov in Sheki city, Shinaz tower in Shin village, Gizlar Galasi tower (IV-V centuries) in village of Kish, Javur tower of VI century, minaret of Gileyli mosque of XVIII century, mosques of XIX century in many villages.
In the area, today, there are stored are stored many national handicrafts. Sheki craftsmen are producing painting coffers, weaving women shawl “kelagayi”, sewing on silk and velvet. Among products of local handiwork, special interest causes “takulduz” – type of weaving with usage of silky fabrics. Up to now in the city, there still exist names of streets denoting this or other one ancient profession – Duluzchular (potters), Zargarlar, (jewelers), Khalvachilar (confectioners). You may visit, being in honor with own craftsmen, the ancient Sheki craft shops, where you will be offered by jewelry fineries, articles made of metal, timber, various souvenirs.
The Sheki cookey is peculiar and abundant. Love partiality to sweat, presumably, defines particular amiability and merry pin of inhabitants. No one having been appeared in the Sheki city will not be able to stand out before seduction to taste the famous Sheki sweats: girmabadam, zilviya, pahlava made of rice flour with hazelnuts, nabat – boiled sugar, peshveng – sweaty being melted in a mouth mealy straw. That sweats, and undoubtedly we mean the well-known Sheki khalva, they are outspreading its flavor around the all city.
