Shamakhi

The city of Shamakhi has been the capital of the Shirvanshah state for several centuries. It is not yet possible to determine the oldest area of ​​Shamakhi, which has been repeatedly destroyed and relocated during the terrible earthquakes throughout history, during archeological excavations.

Gulustan fortress of the IX century near the city of Shamakhi is one of the historical monuments that have survived to this day. The front fortification of the fortress was built on the slope of the mountain, and the pomegranate fortress on the top. In the XV-XVII centuries, it was a defensive fortress and residence of Shirvan shahs. This fortress, which is a secret underground passage, lost its significance with the formation of firearms.

Unfortunately, most of the historical buildings of that time in the city, which were once built to protect Shamakhi, but now sleep in the bosom of nature in the remote mountains, except for the remains of the fortresses of Naryn, Gulustan, and Bugurd, have not survived. Those interested in history should definitely visit the Seven Dome Tomb Complex, located on the beautiful green hills of the city. The complex contains seven graves where the last khan of Shirvan khanate (1748-1820) and his family was buried. The complex has the features of the Shirvan school of architecture. Mirza Alakbar Sabir, one of the most famous poets of Azerbaijan, whose satirical poems were published in the magazine "Molla Nasreddin" in the early twentieth century, is also buried here.

Shamakhi is a land of artists. Shamakhi is one of the oldest art centers in Azerbaijan. Historically, various fields of art have developed here and made the country famous all over the world. One of such fields of art was silkworm breeding.

Due to the purity of the atmosphere and a large number of clear days, the construction of one of the most important observatories of the Soviet Union - the Shamakhi Astrophysics Observatory - began in 1957. The observatory is located 22 kilometers from the city.