SHEMAKHA

Shamakhi is an ancient Azerbaijani city (the ancient capital of Azerbaijan). It arose in the 5th century. BC e. In the IX-XVI centuries. - the capital of the Shirvan kingdom, the residence of the Shirvanshahs - one of the most beautiful cities in the East. Since the middle of the 18th century it has been the center of the Shemakhan Khanate (remember Pushkin's Queen of Shemakhan). The main attraction of the city is the Gulistan fortress (XI-XII centuries) - the last refuge of the Shirvanshahs, built to defend the city's borders. No less interesting are the mausoleum of Eddi-Gyumbez (“Seven Domes”) with numerous graves of the rulers of Shamakhi, the Juma Cathedral Mosque (X century, rebuilt in the 19th century), numerous ruins of buildings of the 10th-17th centuries. Today, Shamakhi is also a recognized center for winemaking and carpet weaving. And yet, it is a literary city, which is the birthplace of many Azerbaijani poets. By the way, not far from Shamakhi there is an amazing place Pirkuli, famous for its snows.

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LAGICH

The high-mountainous village of Lagich in the Ismayilli region of Azerbaijan is an original monument of urban planning and architectural art of antiquity. This medieval town with cobbled streets and squares is one of the most famous craft and trade centers in the Caucasus and beyond. Here they make products from copper, leather, chasing, skillful potters and woodcarvers work. Lagich became especially famous for the manufacture of edged weapons and copper utensils, decorated with engraved ornaments. To this day, there are about a dozen workshops here, where hereditary blacksmiths make various household items in front of amazed tourists. The very first quarter of Lagich was founded in the III-IV centuries. It is curious that the city has a water supply and sewerage system, which is almost more than one and a half thousand years old! None of the residents knows where the sewage system begins and ends, and on what principle it works, which does not prevent the collector from functioning for many centuries. Now Lagich is a historical and architectural monument protected by the state and the appearance of the settlement has been preserved in its original form.

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IVANOVKA

“An ordinary village” is not about Ivanovka. Just think, where could a village with such a name come from on the lands of Azerbaijan, among the Caucasus Mountains? Why did so many persecutions and migrations fall on the lot of its inhabitants? What did they do wrong before the authorities and nature? What helped them not only to survive, but also to create a unique culture that has no analogues anywhere else? Who now lives in Ivanovka (Ismayilli) and why do tourists love these places so much?
The myths and legends that covered the almost 170-year-old chronicle of the famous village would be enough for several cities.