- BAKU.
According to a2zdirectory, the Caucasus is the cradle of ancient civilizations created by the peoples inhabiting it, who have preserved the rich material and cultural heritage of the ancient state of Albania. Azerbaijan is the heir of Caucasian Albania and the cradle of civilization, and the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, is the pearl of the Caucasus. Baku combines the modern central part of the city and old Baku. Famous Soviet films were filmed on its streets and still one can guess the shots from the “Diamond Arm”. You will definitely visit the Maiden Tower and the temples of fire worshipers, take a walk along the night embankment with pleasure.
- NATURE OF AZERBAIJAN.
All natural diversity is concentrated in the regions of Azerbaijan: mountain landscapes in Guba-Gusar, traditional national settlements of Masalli-Lenkoran-Lerik, Shamakhi-Sheki Silk Road, rock art in Gobustan.
- CARPETS.
Azerbaijan is also proud of its carpet makers. In the workshops of the old city, you will not only be able to choose any item you like, but you will also see for yourself how wonderful patterns are born from ordinary yarn and threads.
- SEA and SANDY BEACHES.
The Caspian Sea is not only oil platforms and tankers. The long coastline is replete with pristine sandy beaches.
- NATIONAL CUISINE.
Known far beyond the borders of Azerbaijan, lamb shish kebab and little-known gutab, levengi baklava and even jam from pomegranate and watermelon peel.
- MUD VOLCANOES
Martian landscapes and the gurgling of gas escaping from the ground, the lifeless desert will stretch as far as the eye can see. This is also in Azerbaijan.
- NATIONAL HOLIDAYS.
The national character is best known during the holidays. The most striking and original events in Azerbaijan are the Spring Festival – Novruz Bayram and the Flower Festival, which take place on March 20-21 and May 10.
Nakhichevan
Nakhichevan (Nakhchivan) is one of the oldest cities in Azerbaijan. Already in the VI century. BC e. there was a city on this site, in the XI century. which became the capital of the Seljuk state, and in the XII century. – the capital of the state of the Ildegizids. The main attractions of the city are the mausoleums of Yusuf ibn-Kuseyir (1161) and Momine-Khatun (1186), the Literary and Historical Museum, the art gallery and the Gyaur-Kala fortress (Mine, II millennium BC) are also interesting. from Nakhichevan there is the Alinja-Kala fortress (XI-XIII centuries) and the famous Khudaferin bridges across the Araks (XII-XIII centuries).
Ordubad
The city of Ordubad has been known since the 12th century. The mosques of Juma and Dilber (XVII-XVIII centuries), madrasah, the Khan’s palace (XVIII-XIX centuries) and many medieval buildings united in the state historical and architectural reserve are of interest here. 60 km south of Ordubad on Mount Gemigaya (Kemchigaya) there is an area of ​​concentration of rock petroglyphs (III-II millennium BC).
Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh)
Nagorno-Karabakh is a historical region populated predominantly by ethnic Armenians, de jure part of Azerbaijan, but de facto since December 1991 an independent republic under the patronage of Armenia. The conflict in Karabakh began in 1988, in the last years of the existence of the USSR. The Armenian population of Karabakh, which was the majority here, and never recognized the power of Baku, felt that the collapse of the Union gave them a chance to achieve independence from the Republic of Azerbaijan, alien in all aspects of life: religion (Armenians are Christians, Azerbaijanis are Shiite Muslims for the most part), language, mentality. For their part, the authorities of the then Soviet Azerbaijan use party levers to condemn “nationalist”, “extremist-separatist” processes.
Not a single country in the world, with the exception of Armenia itself, has recognized the independence of Karabakh. The issue of Nagorno-Karabakh is a stumbling block in relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and both countries are still at war. In addition, the issue of ownership of Karabakh is extremely sensitive for both Armenians and Azerbaijanis. All these things should be kept in mind by a tourist traveling through Armenia, Azerbaijan and Karabakh.
More than 1,700 historical and architectural monuments have been recorded in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), including about 600 monastic complexes and more than 500 churches, such as the church of Hovhannes Mkrtich in the Gandzasar monastery complex (1216-1238), the cathedral church of the Dadi monastery (1214.), the main church of Gtchavank (1241-1248), the cathedral church of Hadavank (1204) and the unique temple frescoes of Khutavank. It is worth visiting the ruins of the palace of Khachen (XIII century) north of Hokhanaberd, the Avaptuk monastery (1163) 5 km away. south of Gandzasar, the Vachara cemetery with a church made of hewn basalt stones, the Mamakan church in Tsmakahogh, the Kachaghakaberd fortress (IX century), the famous monastery of Surb Hakoba (presumably the VI century), the monastic complex of Koshik Anapat (XII-XIII centuries), the Church of Surb Gevorg (XIII c.), Yegish Arakyal (XIII c.), a remote monastery.
The princely residence of Tsar is interesting for the churches of Surb Sargis, Surb Grigor and Surb Astvatsatsin and the monastery of Getamech (XII-XIII centuries), which are rightfully considered outstanding works of medieval Armenian architecture. Khutavank (“monastery on a hill”) is a large architectural complex, one of the famous historical centers of national culture. The ancient fortress of Jraberd, which has never been taken by the enemy, is also unique. Until now, many secrets of its defensive system remain unknown.
