Distance with Baku: 375 km
Population: 321,1 thsd person
How to reach: Airplane: Baku-Ganja (AZAL airline Tel. (+99412) 493 40 04), Moscow-Ganja, Stambul- Ganja. Bus: Scheduled bus Baku-Ganja 7 hours, Tbilisi-Ganja; Train: Baku-Ganja
Ganja is the second city of Azerbaijan by scale – memorial of the ancient culture, industrial center of the western Azerbaijan. The city is allocated at Ganja-Gazakh terrain, on both Ganjachay riverbanks.
Having leafs over pages of abundant story, in each line we meet traces of Ancient City, we hear his voice and feel its breath.
There do exist different points of view on the history of ganja to be formed. One of them refers the foundation of the city to the period of B.C., others – to the beginning of medieval centuries. One of witnesses of the age of Ganja we may consider Mausoleum of Jomard Gasab lived in period of Ali ibn Abu Talib caliph (656-661) governing and being differed by his fair and honesty. In times when population of the city confessed idolatry, he secretly had accepted Mohammed trust.
Starting from X century when Barda is losing role of Arran capital, Ganja commences to play important part in social-economical life of the country. In life of the city the trading and handicraft occupy considerable important place. For handicraft, developing here economical potentiality had existed. Iron, copper and other types of rills situated not far from Ganja, supplied craftsmen with raw materials. During making formed Ganja as a capital of the country, special attention had been paid up as well as to strengthening of military power of the city. There were already constructed villian walls, dikes were trenched out; the greatest Ganja fortress was existed. During Fadlun I, governing Ganja grown up and become forced increasingly. There were erected palaces, new fortress, bridges, caravanserai, it was started to coin money.
In 1063 blacksmith Ibrahim produced the well-known gates of Ganja. To the best of Ganja to be converted into huge center, it was developed economy and culture. Ganja silk and products made of it had conquered sympathies of purchasers not only at local markets, but at foreign ones as well. Ganja was considered as religious center.
On September 25, 1139 in surroundings of Ganja there was taken place earthquake with enormous force, in the result of which eight of the most beautiful lakes were formed, one of them is pearl of Azerbaijan, being stupendous by its loveliness – Goy-Gol lake. This lake, nowadays, is outspread on the territory of identity national park and being one of the most picturesque sites of Azerbaijan.
XII-XIII centuries could be called as period of florescence of “Ganja – the second capital of Atabeys State. Due to that fact when its products became known far beyond country, it raised up to the level “Mothers of Aran cities”.
Fabric that had been manufactured here and called “Ganja silk” received the highest marks markets of neighboring countries and Middle East.
In XVIII century there was formed Ganja khanate, which had existed before capture of it by Tsar Russia in the beginning of XIX century. Khanate was inserted into the staff of Russia Empire, and Ganja had been renamed into Yelizavetpol. During the Soviet period, the city had been renamed once more into Kirovobad. The name of the city had returned to Ganja just in 1989.
Homeland of the Greatest Nizami, Mehseti-khanum poetess, Mirza Shafi Vazeh, the city of ancient culture Ganja had kept its image as beautiful city with the majority of architectonics memorials. One of the main one`s is Juma mosque – central msoque. Outstanding Azerbaijan poet Vazeh during long period taught in madras under Juma mosque. The Mausoleum of sheik Ibrahim had stored its original beauty.
There are also some of ancient mosques; Gizil Hajali Mosque, Ozan, Bala Bagban, Sharafkhanli, Shakhsevan mosques and others. Among ancient memorials of architecture: big and small bridges (XII century), Darus Sultan palace (XII century), towers cathedral mosques, madrasah, bath houses, caravanserai, complex of Imamzade structures (XVI century) – beautiful building equipped with blue domes, which had been constructed as mausoleum of Imam Bajiri ibn Ibrahim.
There is building of the first parliament of Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan to being under interests. In front of it, there is huge City Park to being outspreaded. Here as well as you might find out remains of fortress walls of XVI century. By impressive colors and attracted domes there are bathhouses being excelled out. Nearby, there is allocated Javad khan grave. Among memorials of antiquity – Alexander Nevski church (now it is theater of puppets). Local – fancy – bottled house, two storied building, having been constructed of, approximately, 50.000 glassy bottles. Artistic setting contains portrait of one of family members, having been died during the Second World War. In 6 km to the east from the center there are being lied ruins of old Ganja. There is museum of history and museum of academy to exist that tells on historical way of the city modernization. Should you once arrived in Ganja you definitely ought to pay visit to the grate poet Nizami. Monumental memorial reminds obelisk mad of marble at height of 20 meters. Behind it there are allocated figured poured out of metal, delineated plots of Nizami poems. In the city by name of Nizami there are called museums, galleries of pictorial art, and theater of poetry.
Ore fossils having been extracted from adjacent mines are supplying enterprise with metallurgical industry of Ganja. In the city there are developed porcelain, silky branches of industry, reprocessing of agricultural products, wine confectionery manufacturing, furniture producing. Highly it is evaluated ganja carpets in Azerbaijan. Except for agricultural University Ganja cuty as well as has experimental agricultural station and scientific – research institute of cotton farming. Recently, it is opened Olympic sport center having been constructed at levels of modern requirements.
In 25 kilometers to the south from Ganja, at the northern slopes of Murovdag, at height of 1566 meters over the sea level there is outspreaded the most beautiful lake Goy-Gol. With aim of rare nature to be stored as well as flora and fauna of those places, in 1965 it was founded Goy-Gol National Park. On its territory, there is museum of nature to exist. Around that lake you might observe resort zone Hajikend, lovely recreation zone in summer months, various tourist centers exist. Through those bridges there are being passed several tourist routes. In 45 kilometers from Ganja there is situated another mountain lake – Maral-Gol. That is as well as favorite site for making recreation.
Distance with Baku: 335 km
Population: 9,3 thsd person
Area: 0,002 km²
Density of population: 310 person/km²
How to reach: Bus-> Scheduled bus Baku-Ganja-Naftalan
Naftalan city is situated in the west, 330 kilometers away from Baku, 50 kilometers away from Ganja city, 18 kilometers away from "Goran" railway station on the foothills plain of Murov mountain. It is on the height of 240-250 meters above sea level. Its summer is hot and winter is soft.. Average annual temperature is 14.8 degrees. Wind speed is 5 meters per second. Territory of the city was 879.82 hectares until 31 May 2010.
However, with a view to expand resort zone and in accordance with Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On application of the Law Of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 31 May 2010 "On partial amendments to political subdivision of Goranboy region and Naftalan city of the Republic of Azerbaijan" dated 10 June 2010 № 958, land of 2692.81 hectares of political subdivision of Goranboy region has been inserted into political subdivision of Naftalan city and total area of the city increased to 3572.62 hectares.
Etymology of the word "Naftalan" is related to the oil come out in this territory. Conceivably, specific persons being aware of medical nature of "Naftalan" oil naturally coming out from ancient times were filling in the wineskins, taling it various places by camel caravans and selling it. As presumed, name "Naftalan" (neft alan, oil taker) emerged in here. First notes about medicated naftalan balsam regard to XII century. Nizami Ganjavi, great Azerbaiajni poet (1141-1209) in his "Khamsa" poem wrote about transportation of Naftalan oil by caravans from Safikurd settlement. He narrated about careful woman who treated wounds of her husband injured in hunt. Marco Polo, well-known traveller, who visited Azerbaijan in XII century, recalls Naftalan oil in his treatise named "About Great Tatarstan".
History of exploring, extraction and treatment of oil by industrial method regard to XIX century. In 1868, land in the dimension of 80 dessiatinas located in the territory of Naftalan oilfield has been allocated to 8 persons of German nationality by Management of Mountain Part of Caucasus Territory. Y.I.Yeger, mining engineer distinguishing with proactive position among those Germans discovers the absence of gasoline fraction in the composition of the oil (that oil was non-flammable) and gets disappointed from that at first, but afterwards, he learns about medicated features of Naftalan and establishes small plant for ointment production in Naftalan. After some time passed, Yeger achieves great success in this field. He sends samples of "Naftalan" ointment to worldwide known doctors and professor List from Magdeburg attaches great attentions to it and purchases wholesale of the product for entire Germany. It is very interesting that Yeger's ointment is being prohibited in Russia at that period, and it is being exported to Russia from Germany as patented and very expensive product. Moreover, the plant was producing medications named "Naftalan" and "Kojelan". "Kojelan" oil keeps human skin and leather-made objects very soft as well as protects metal objects from corrosion. Prepared medications were being sold to Japan, America, England, Holland and other countries through Germany.
In 1896, doctor F.G.Rosenbaum made a speech with brief information "About effect of Naftalan extracted in Caucasus" on the basis of his personal experience at the meeting of Caucasian Health Society.
In connection with the advertisement of Naftalan oil, P.P.Unna, well-known German dermatologist said in 1903 that "If you have Naftalan, then you have everything". Moreover, it is known from historical facts that jars full of Naftalan ointment were found in first aid bags of japanese captive soldiers during russian-japanese war in 1904-1905. They applied that ointment to the wounds on their bodies and as a result, the wounds were healed up faster. This shows that there is no analogue to Naftalan ointment and it has unique medicated feature. Medication named "Naftomastics" proposed by Sh.M.Hasanov in evacuation hospitals of Azerbaijan and Baku during World War II was used in treatment of bullet wound, traumatic arthritis, burns and icing.
Other German businessman named Kvel established "German-Naftalan" joint-stock company in 1911-1912and started preparation of a number of medications made from Naftalan oil. In the same years, two joint-stock companies – "Magdeburg-Naftalan" and "Dresden-Naftalan" related to Naftalan were operating in Germany and they also were preparing medications from Naftalan oil.
Naftalan city was existing as a village within Goranboy and Yevlakh regions until 1967. However, Naftalan was granted a status of city of national importance following to the Decision of the Presidium of Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 28 April 1967.
Distance with Baku: 439 km
Population: 162,8 thsd person
How to reach: Bus-> Scheduled bus Baku-Tovuz - 9 hours; Train: Ganja-Agstafa, Baku-Gazakh, Baku-Agstafa, Baku-Tbilisi - 10 hours
The district is allocated in the west of Azerbaijan and being bounded with Georgia and Armenia. The area territory is entering into Basin of Kura River. There are flowing rivers Tovuz, Zayam Asrick, Akhinja. Climate is dry and subtropical. There are being outspreaded at mountain slopes of the region, splendid nature and numerous rills. Square of forests constitutes 32 000 Hectares. In the area, there is available animal world: wolf, hare, turaj, partridge etc. there are available possibilities intended for making fishery and hunting on hare and water floating bird.
Administrative area center - Tovuz center. According to ancient Turk sources, the name of city had taken its origin from name of Turk speaking tribes "Oguz", Toguz" to being united.
Among architectural monuments there still exist viz.: bridge, mosque and mausoleum of XVII century in village Yanikhli, bridge of XX century - on Tovuz river, ruins cerevanserai, kakhriz ( water pipeline), dwelling houses, water stand pipe tower of XIX century - in Tovuz town, Kerogli tower of VII century - in Alibeyli village, octahedral mausoleum - in Gazgulu village, ruins of XIX century's fortress and mosque of Abbas shakh' XVII century. besides, on the territory of the area by archeologists it was found out witnesses of habitants having been stayed here during Stone Age, bronze ages.
Distance with Baku: 384 km
Population: 59,1 thsd person
How to reach: Bus-> Scheduled bus Baku- Goygol, Baku-Ganja
Goygol district is allocated at the west of the Republic to the south of Ganja in agricultural region. There are forests, gardens, mountains and seven splendid lakes. The most highest sport in the area is Gamish mountain (3724 m) allocated at the edge of Murovdag. Climate in the area is moderate – hot. Via the territory of the area, there are flowing Gushgara, Ganjachay Rivers. Here many birds are nested. These are ideal places for making hunting and fisheries.
In summer amateurs of nature used to arrive here, lodged apartment from local habitants and make exciting excursions and hiking. Due to that fact villages of Mikhailovka, Yeni Zod, Togana had converted into like tourist centers.
Tourist routes are being used by huge popularity:
1. Goygol – Ashigli – Hajikend – Goygol National park. Tourists making their voyages upon that route could review historical monument – church of Saint Mariya. Termination of the route is allocated at Goygol National park. Here you might be encountered with the marvelous nature, fantastic forests, transparent rills, the most beautiful lakes, abundant animal world.
2. Goygol – Topalhasanli – Zurnabad – Shakhriyar. Route extension – 18 km. At that itinerary, there are allocated historical monuments: The White Bridge (XII century), burial-mounds of bronzed and iron Ages. In villages of Zurnabad and Shakhriyar, it is possible to buy handed carpets, having been weaving by local craftswomen.
3. Goygol – Keshku – Uchbulag (9 km).
4. Goygol – Gushgara – Balchili. Route length – 15 kilometers. In balchili village there is existed ancient tower. In Gushgara village there exists Motel. Those routes are popular among self-acted tourists.
The district center, Goygol city, formed Helenendorf, was founded at place of the ancient settlement Khanliglar by deutsche settlements having been settled here in XIX century. During Stalin times the Germans were evicted towards Middle Asia, but town still is keeping traces of their presence: flat streets, woody buildings and church. The area center is allocated in 15 km from railroad terminal of Ganja city. In the city, there is usual museum of history, musical school and cinema. You may also review the bridge, age of which, is elder by seven centuries than in the city. In 40 km from the are center there is "Goygol" National Park. Here the nature, being far from city rushes, impresses everybody with the beauty of forests, by blue of lakes, fascinate by singing of birds, by flavor of greenery and flowers. From Goygol district towards here there are following microbuses. Here you could find out a lot of not big restaurants, cafes, and snack bars.
Among historical monuments in the area it is possible to highlight the tower of XII century in the village Sarigaya, fortress of XII century in Zurnabad village, Lutheran church of XIX century situated in Goygol city, Gabriel church XVII century in Shakhriyar village, "Ag korpu" bridge XII century in village of Topalhasanli, two rivers outspreaded at Ganjachay river in Goygol city – "Iki gozlu korlu" (XVI century) and "Uch gozlu korlu" (XIX century). There are known archeological finding of bronzed and iron centuries.
To buy products of manual products one might in Shakhriyar village.
