West route View on map
Hajigabul lake created as a result of natural withdrawal of Caspian Sea in certain geological period is situated within this district. Bed of the lake was enlarged as a result of flood of Kur River in springtime. This lake, depth of which does not exceed 5 meter, is not frozen in winter. It has big importance as suitable place in winter for migrant birds, as well for water-march birds to build a nest. Many of those birds belong to unique types that face the danger of being ended.
Carpet-weaving has developed here since the ancient times. Shirvan school's tradition of weaving the hand carpets called "Sari khalcha" is continued still.
Hajigabul city, administrative center of district, is located in 113 km from Baku.
But this territory was inhabited yet 5 thousand years ago - archeologists found out ruins of cyclopean buildings in Harami Mountain in north-west of city. Petroglyphs in walls of these buildings catch the attention. There were found out images of people and extraordinary, fantastic animals on the stones near. Scientists suppose this object belongs to Eneolith era. Other historical-architectural monuments remain near Hajigabul. In Gubali Baloglan village Pir Huseyn Khanegah includes: ancient mosque with minaret, castle walls, caravanserai, living buildings (XIII-XIV centuries), mausoleum of Sheikh Huseyn, who lived in XI century, (this mausoleum that was built in honor of sheikh was erected after two centuries after his death), as well ancient bridge (XVII-XIX centuries). Gungormez defense tower of early middle ages remained in Udulu village. Apparently from name of this tower people defended there were protected themselves till their last breath in fight against enemy.
Kurdemir city, administrative center of Kurdemir district, is located on the left bank of Kur River, in 189 km from Baku.
Numerous cafes and restaurants here located along the Baku-Ganja highway are available for lunch. Most popular of them is "Garabag" Restaurant situated in 5 km west of district center.
Yevlakh district is situated on the right bank of Kur River and one of biggest cities of the region called by the people Ganjabasar (it is called so because was the territory of former Ganja Khanate).
Yevlakh city, administrative center of Yevlakh district, is 280km away from Baku. Yevlakh is located on the cross of numerous roads. Roads lead from here directly to Mingechevir, Sheki, Balaken, Ganja and Khankendi cities. It is not accidental that Yevlakh is called "Door of Karabakh" in written sources of XII century.
A number of archeological objects of Bronze Age and early middle ages were foundout in Garamammadly, Garamanly and Khaldan villages of Yevlakh.
Fruitful land of Karabakh is one of the very ancient regions of Azerbaijan. Popular Karabakh Khanate, center of which was Shusha city, was located here in due time. There are numerous historical-architectural monuments, rich flora and fauna here. One of the colorful types of Azeri carpets- Karabakh carpet was created here, famous sort of Karabakh race horses was raised here. This land, possessing such a rich natural features, gave numerous talentedwriters, poets and musicians to Azerbaijan. Most popular singers - mugham singers (mugham - national musical genre of Azerbaijan) have come from Karabakh. And mugham melodies are base to national opera of Azerbaijan.
Unfortunately Karabakh is under occupation of Armenians at present time. Terter district is situated along the lower flow of Terterchay, borders upon Injechay from north. Temperature is not lower than positive 2 degree in winter and rarely exceeds 25 degree in summer.
Terter city is administrative center of Terter district. City is situated on the both banks of Terterchay, 332 km from Baku. Agriculture and cattle-breeding, as well ancient folk arts such as carpet-weaving, weaving and sewing are developed here. Terter city, located on the ancient caravan way, was called Chaparkhana in due time. A number of architectural monuments exist in Terter, Kengerly, Garadagly, Gaynag, Azad Garagoyunlu villages of district.
Number of population of small Naphthalan city located near Goranboy city, center of Goranboy district, is 6.5000. Patients coming to sanatoriums and pensions of this resort city are treated with Naphthalan oil and solutions made of it.
Yet a few thousand years ago Azerbaijanis were able to use the naphthalene for different purposes.
Visitors can stay at "Chinar" sanatorium here.
Other memorial.
Ganja city - is located on the banks of Ganjachay in Ganja-Gazakh lowland.
Ganja is the second biggest city of Azerbaijan. There are Ganja State University, Academy of Agriculture, Ganja Branch of National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, Scientific-Research Cotton-growing Institute, Experimental Agriculture Station here. Modern Olympic Sport Complex was built in city.
Ganja is homeland of world-famous poet Nizami Ganjavi, poetess Mahsati khanim, MirzaShafi Vazeh. There are many historical monuments here. There are Juma mosque and its madrasah, Sheikh Ibrahim Mausoleum, Gizil Hajily, Ozan,Bala Bagbanly, Sherefkhanly and Shahseven Mosques, Great Bridge and Small Bridge built on the Ganjachay (XII century), caravanserai and complex of buildings, Imamzade with blue cupola of glazed brick, very beautiful ancient City bathhouses(bathhouses are available now) here. Guests are recommended to visit Nizami Ganjavi Mausoleum located in the entry of city.
Ganja is one the most ancient cities, which played important role in history of our country in different periods.
Arabs called this city Ganza. During excavations conducted in Ganja archeologists discovered ancient habitations of II century B.C., many archeological objects belonging to Bronze Age around Ganja.
Hajikend resort zone is located now near Ganja. There are numerous tourist routes, pensions, tourist bases and rest houses here.
"Goygol" State Reserve is first in Azerbaijan.
Ganja got own history-regional geography museum. There are very interesting findings of Bronze Age among exhibits of museum. Drama Theatre and Child Puppet Theatre function in Ganja.
"Ganja" Hotel, located in city center, is available for tourists and guests of city.
Goygol district is situated at the foots of Small Caucasus, a bit south of Ganja. Administrative center of Goygol district is Goygol city located in 384 km from Baku.
There are local history-regional geographic, music school, cinema, many cafes and restaurants in Goygol. Tourists visiting this silent and green city travel from there to tourist zones on different routes. Archeological findings belonging to Bronze and iron ages confirm that this city possess ancient history. Lutheran church (1854) , 'Ikigozlu korpu' (XVI c) and 'Uchgozlu korpu' (1896) on Ganjachay have remained safe till now as historical-architectural monuments. Monuments remained near Goygol include castle of XII century in Zurnabad village, mausoleum of XVI century in Sarigaya village, 'Ag korpu' of XII century in Topalhasanly village, a number of historical monuments in Chaykend village.
Dashkesen district, located at the north-east foots of Small Caucasus, is ore producing center of Azerbaijan.
Archeologists found out ruins of ancient habitations belonging Stone Age in areas of Khoshbulag, Zagaly, Gurbulag, Emirvar, Bayan, Darderya villages of this district. Two ancient stone bridges built on the Gushgara river and mausoleum in Ahmadly village are historical-architectural monuments remained till now. Monastery built in Gushchu village in 487 is safe. There are ruins of Christian temple of XV century in Bayan village.
Administrative center of district is Dashkesen city, which is located in 397kn from Baku. Apparently from its name this region was famous with its sculptors that were considered masters of art of carving out stone and wood since the ancient times. At present time folk arts such as carpet-weaving and sock-weaving well-developed.
Customers are offered here national cuisine at small restaurants, delicious national meals made of fresh meat at kebab-houses, as well national music performed by ashigs (national improvisator singers). Dashkesen's honey is one of the best in republic. Residents of nearby Ganja city love to rest in Khoshbulag village of Dashkesen district.
There are many archeological objects of Bronze and early Iron ages in Shemkir district. They mostly were discovered in Chenlibel, Seyidler and Garajaemirly villages. There are also a number of historical-architectural monuments o middle ages: castles in Tatarly and Ashagi Seyfelly villages, bridges in Tehneli village and on the Zeyem River, Christian churches in Yukhari Chaykend, Guneshly, Dag Jeyirly villages.
There are beloved places of fishers here - Yenikend dam on Kur River is specially popular.
Shemkir city, administrative center of district, can be reached in an hour with a car from Ganja.
According to written sources and archeological information this city was built inV-VI centuries on the bank of Great Shemkir River near current Mukhtariyyat village, 20 km from modern Shemkir.
There was 8-tower feudal castle in that city that was called Shamkur in Middle Ages. Wealth of Shamkur caught attention of not only merchants as well invaders. As manyof ancient cities of Azerbaijan, Shamkur, too, was destroyed for many times, thenrestored and held the period of progress. But after one of the next attacks, survived population of city moved and built new city.
Two ancient castles belonging to XVII century remain around modern Shemkir. These are Shamkhor castle and Koroglu castle (name of this castle was chosen as our national symbol in honor of hero Koroglu,who bravely fought against despots). Most of scientists think that Koroglu was real historical personality. But it was not convincingly qualified whether he really lived in Chenlibel castle.
Gedebey district is situated in Small Caucasus Mountains, as well in high mountains (height of Goshabulag peak is 3549m, Gojadag peak is 3317m) and mountains with middle height. Road from Shemkir or Govlar station of Tovuz leads to Gedebey. Tovuz route is more beautiful but cars pass this way hardly: jeeps are recommended here.
There is good circumstance within Gedebey district for fishing in Shemkir River. There is special fishing farm near Galakend village. Flora and fauna of Gedebey district is rich and various. 'Gizilagaj' reserve is located within this district. A number of nature objects that are included in list of objects preserved by state as 'Nature monuments of Azerbaijan' - Shamlig, Gamish, Godekdere, Govdu forests are here. It also includes Kechi-Kechi, Juyur, Ayi, Jerge springs as well Narzan, Gizilja, Mormor, Chaldash mineral water springs.
Ancient cultural monuments that entered Azerbaijani history under name of Khojaly-Gedebey culture - Cyclopean buildings belonging to Bronze age, as well 'Gedebey treasures' - domestic appliances and ancient jewelry jugs, silver coins belonging to XVI century - reign of Shah Tahmasib were discovered here. These coins were used in from Tebriz (current Iran) to Shirvan and Ganja.
Historical-architectural buildings that are safe within district include Tagly korpu (XIX c), Gulle in Gala village (XVI c), Giz galasi in Soyudlu village (or Namerd Gala - IX c), Christian temples of early middle ages in Novosaratovka, Soyudlu, Chanakhchi and Kilevi villages.
Another memorial. Koroghlu castle
Reps of old Russian tribe called "dukhobor' live in Saratovka village. They have protected their material and moral culture so far. Folk arts such as wood carving, carpet-weaving, sock and glove-weaving from color wool, processing of sheep leather are wide-spread in this region.
Visitors can stay at the hotel located in city center.
Tovuz district of Azerbaijan is situated in west of republic, borders on Georgia and Armenia. Ancient monuments have been preserved in Tovuz district. Most interesting ones of them include temple of XII century in Kirzan village, mosque of XVII century in Yanigly village, mausoleums in Gazgulu village, castle in Alibeyly village and etc. There are also numerous archeological objects of Bronze, Iron and early Middle Ageshere.
Other memorials.
Administrative center of district - Tovuz city is 457km from Baku.
Like majority of Azerbaijani cities, Tovuz also was built in place of ancient habitations belonging to Stone and Bronze ages. This city left the traces in genetic memory of people as if to remind the places where our fathers replaced each other during millenniums. According to the ancient Turkish sources, name of this city was taken from names of two relative Turkish tribes - Oguz and Toguz. This name was confirmed as toponym just because it was created here.
There is small museum of famous Ashig Huseyn Bozalganly (1860-1942) in Tovuz. Ashig Huseyn Bozalganly knew by heart the whole Koroglu epos.
Agstafa district is situated at the feet of Great Caucasus Mountains, in frontier of Azerbaijan with Georgia and Armenia.
Garayazi State Reserve, covering 4,9 thousand hectares of area on the bank of Kur river, was created in 1978 to preserve and restore tugai forests around Kur, Garayazi lowland and middle flow of Kur river. Major object protected in reserve is tugai forestland. 'Garayazi-Agstafa' Reserve that was established in 1923 in area of 12,0 thousand hectares, is located within Agstafa district.
A number of historical monuments were discovered within district: ancient habitationcalled Molla Nagi tepesi of Paleolithic age near Kochasger village, gulle of XVII century and mosque of XIX century in Girag Kesemen village, mosques of XIX centuryin Kolkhalvaly, Garahasanly, Dagkesemen and Duz gishlag villages and etc. Thereare too many monuments here belonging to Stone, Bronze and Iron ages. These facts show that level of habitation of this region was very high in ancient times. Thereis need for detailed study of all these archeological objects and realization of new excavations.
There are defense castle and cave-monasteries, built in Caucasian Albania during early Christianity, near herdsman places, which are grasslands for sheep flocks in summer, in Keshikchidag Range in upper part of Agstafa city. This zone was banned to visit during UUSR, because military units of Trans Caucasus Military Division were located there. This is why that unique complex was not studied in required manner. It was prohibited zone, many of ancient images in caves were wiped off with artillery fires. This complex, which belongs to Caucasian Albania - one of state structures of ancient Azerbaijan, is studied at present time by archeologists of National Academy of Sciences.
Agstafa city is situated near Georgian border. Train takes from here to Georgian capital Tbilisi. Special attention is paid to protection of historical-architectural monuments and cultural heritage of Agstafa district - carpet-weaving and ashig creativity. Findings discovered by archeologists - vase, glass, domestic appliances and ornaments are kept at local regional geography museum.
There are historical monuments (architectural and archeological monuments) here that are preserved by state: Sinig korpu (XII c);Damjili cave; Temple of V century in Yukhari Eskipara village, Sheker gala Temple of XV century, Didevan megalith Defense castle, Temples Complex of Alban era (VII c) in Dash Salahly village, Goyazan Mountain (lastmiddle ages), which is attractive with ruins of castle walls, and ruins of ancient city recently discovered near that.
There are many ancient habitations within Gazakh district: caves periodically inhabited by Neanderthals in Avey Mountain, between Dash Salahly and Kemerly villages, Injesu River valley, north-east parts of Small Caucasus, settlements of Cro-Magnon men near Damjili cave in Avey Mountain, Khal-khal city place near beautiful pinky-golden Gizil gaya and ruins of castle walls were found out. This territory is supposed to be one of summer residences of Alban rulers. Without implementing any excavations, archeologists found here numerous ruins of ceramic appliances of Bronze Age on the surface of ground. In due time Albans destroyed troops of Roman Pompey here. Ancient written sources say about this: "10,000 horsemen and 60,000 pedestrians of Albans were fighting against troops of Pompey".
Barrow graves of Bronze Age were discovered in Berkin agzi canyon, which is located a bit west of Gizil gaya. All these historical objects (except Sinig korpu) are nearby Gazakh city. Due to efforts of initiator men of this land, numerous archeological artifacts have beencollected and exhibited at local Regional geography museum.
People coming to Yukhari Salahly village can visit here house of popular Azeri poet Samad Vurgun.
Gazakh, which is the last biggest city in western frontier of Azerbaijan, is homeland of talented poets and writers. Population of Gazakh is known as people with special poetic emotions. A number of popular ashigs, scientists and fighters were born here. Poets Samad Vurgun, Molla Panah Vagif, writers Mehdi Huseyn, Ismail Shikhly, general Aliaga Shikhlinsky, who was called 'God of Artillery' and took part in defense of Port-Arthur Castle, and others are from Gazakh. First Teachers Seminary in Azerbaijan was opened here - in Gazakh in 1917.
There are museums reflecting life of famous poets Vagif and Vidadi, origin of Gazakh, ancient mosque and other interesting objects in the city. Gazakh is also popular as one of the very ancient carpet-weaving centers and horse-breeding factories. Local horses Diliboz raised here are specially famous. There is big need in world market for carpets 'Dag Kesemen','Gazakhcha', 'Aggoyunlu', 'Dord Buynuz', 'Shikhly', 'Chobankere', 'Borchaly', 'Fakhraly','Gaymagly' that are products of Gazakh carpet school. Cuisine of Gazakh region consists of simple but very delicious meat and floury meals. Tourists are recommended to stay at houses of local residents.