Historical Significance.
Shamakhi is a city in Azerbaijan and the administrative center of the Shamakhi District and located 120 km west from Baku.
Cultural Heritage.
The city boasts historical landmark, including mosque, mausoleums reflecting its cultural and architectural heritage:
Sightseeings
- Juma Mosque. The Mosque dates back to the 8th century. It features traditional Islamic architectural elements, characterized by domes, minarets and intricate geometric designs.
- Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum (Seven Domes). This architectural complex is a cemetery located 1,5 km south to Shamakhi where three mausoleums from “Yeddi Gumbaz” group are still saved. Other mausoleums of the group are partly destroyed and are without cupola or walls. The mausoleum belongs to the beginning of the 18th century.
- Diri Baba Mausoleum. There is a unique monument – a two-storeyed mausoleum-mosque of the 15th century called “Diri-Baba”, located opposite an ancient cemetery – on the way from Baku to Shamakhi. For a long time, local residents believed in a legend that a sacred person called Diri Baba was buried here and remained imperishable.
- Shamakhy Astrophysical Observatory is located 22 kilometres north of Shamakhi’s city centre along a scenic road leading into the Caucasus Mountains, the settlement of Pirqulu is home to the largest astrophysical observatory in the Caucasus. Named after 13th-century astronomer Nasreddin Tusi, the observatory was established in the Soviet era when it was used to great effect to study the stars and secrets of the universe.
- Alpaca Farm. Alpaca Farm is located in the Shamakhi district, close to the Meyseri vineyards, surrounded by picturesque mountains and green pastures. Memorable moments await in the mountains of Shamakhi at the alpaca farm, whose animals and green meadows provide an entertaining and educational experience for you.
- Shamakhi Safari Park. The opening of the Shamakhi Safari Park took place on October 2, 2017. Currently, this Safari Park covers 620 hectares (including 480 hectares of fenced territory). 420 animals of three genetically valuable animals were brought to the park from other countries. During group or individual off-road safari tours, you can admire these wild animals grazing amid the park’s beautiful scenery, and the more courageous can even get up close and feed them.
Wine tasting experience.
Shamakhi`s historical charm and scenic landscape provide an excellent backdrop for unique and sustainable wine tasting experience in Meysari winery. Shirvan Wines is one of Azerbaijan’s newest winemakers and the country’s first to be classified an organic producer by EU certification. Their first 40 hectares of vineyard were only planted in 2014, with the first harvest in 2015, but the signs since then have been very promising.
