The enchanting magic of ancient Sheki

In the north-west of Azerbaijan, surrounded by picturesque mountains, is one of the oldest cities of the country - Sheki. It is located 380 km from Baku in the southern foothills of the Greater Caucasus. Sheki is a city with a rich and ancient history. According to scientists, it is about 2,500 years old. It is believed that the city was founded by immigrants from the Sakov tribe, as evidenced by its name. In the formation of the word “Sheki”, the word “Saka” actually served as the basis, which later gradually changed to “Shaka”, “Sheke”, “Shaki” and, finally, “Sheki”.

Ancient Sheki was a major trading center, one of the most important on the Silk Road. The roots of local crafts are connected with what this land has always been rich - fertile valleys, cool mountain pastures (Yaylagi). There have always been many orchards around Sheki. Since ancient times, blacksmithing, weapons, jewelry and copper, pottery, leather, tailoring craft, carpentry and the manufacture of shebeke have developed here. Many masterpieces of Sheki masters were known not only in Azerbaijan, but also entered the world market.

For a long time, Sheki was famous for its silk and silk products - "kelagays" - colorful women's headscarves. Silk farming played a great role in the life of city craftsmen. In addition, dyeing of fabrics, production of positions, embroidery, carpet weaving developed here. To this day, medieval caravanserai have been preserved here in excellent condition, where overseas merchants rested and stored their goods.

Since ancient times, many other historical and architectural monuments have been preserved in Sheki. Especially beautiful is the Palace of Sheki Khans, built in 1762 by Huseynhan. Great interest among travelers was caused by openwork windows-shebeke and walls of the palace, decorated with a national drawing. Amazing imagination and paintings of the palace, occupying all the walls, niches, stalactite transitions from the walls to the plafond and the ceilings themselves. After restoration work, this outstanding monument received a second birth. Although, and not in the best times of the palace, General Raevsky wrote that the Bakhchisarai Palace pales in comparison with this beautiful building.

Also of interest is the fortress wall of the 18th century, the surrounding palace and adjacent buildings. Of particular interest is the ancient Christian temple of the Caucasus in the village of Kish, dating from the 1st century, which according to legend was founded by the Apostle Elisha, who arrived as a missionary in Caucasian Albania. In the courtyard of the temple found an ancient burial, covered with a transparent plastic dome. The eyes appear lying at a depth of several meters bones of very tall people, more than 2 meters tall. There are many such graves in the temple. They were discovered during the restoration and study of this sacred structure by Azerbaijani and Norwegian archaeologists, which were carried out on the initiative of the famous Norwegian traveler Thor Heyerdahl. These burials present a mystery to scientists, not solved until now.

Old Sheki, in addition to its history and surrounding nature, is also famous for wonderful sweets and Sheki piti, which you should definitely try.