Beautiful cities of Azerbaijan

Baku, Azerbaijan

Baku, one of the most beautiful cities of the world, is located at the meeting-point of Europe and Asia. The very name of the capital is interpreted as "wind blow”, “windy city” or "hill", “city on a hill”. Port city Baku , a cultural, industrial, political capital of Azerbaijan, is located on the western coast of the Caspian Sea , on the shores of the same name gulf in southern part of Absheron Peninsula rich in oil deposits.

Ganja, Azerbaijan

Ganja is called the mother of Azerbaijan cities. It is one of the most ancient and most beautiful cities of Azerbaijan ; from time immemorial it has been famous for its richest culture, original architecture, magnificent silk and carpets. All this made Ganja a cultural and political center of the entire Middle East. Ganja is the birthplace of the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjevi. It was there that Mikhail Lermontov wrote his famous Persian poems.

Quba, Azerbaijan

It is one of major cities in Azerbaijan. It is located 165 km to the north of Baku . The city was founded in the 15th century; in the second half of the 18 th century it was the capital of Quba Khanate. The country's most beautiful city, Quba is especially attractive in spring when its numerous gardens and parks are in blossom. The vicinities of Quba are picturesque. 30 m-high Afurdzhin Waterfall and Tengi gorge are especially popular with tourists.

Lankaran, Azerbaijan

Lankaran is a subtropical paradise and resort. It is located in the southeast of Azerbaijan practically on the border with Iran . In the east the city is washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea. The nature of Lankaran harmoniously combines high mountain tops, fertile lowlands and pebbly sea coasts. 100 km from Lankaran lies one of the most medieval beautiful cities - Khanege where you can see the fortifications (12th -14the centuries), a mosque and the tomb of Pir Hussein, a minaret and other ancient structures.

Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan

It is the most ancient city of Azerbaijan . It emerged in the 6th century BC as one of the cities of Caucasian Albania. In the 11th century it became the capital of Seljuk state.
In the 12 th – 13 th centuries it was the capital of Ildigizid state. From 1828 to 1923 it belonged to Russian Empire, after that it became a part of Azerbaijan.
The monuments of medieval architecture are considered as the major tourist attraction of the city: the mausoleums of Yusuf ibn Kuseiyr (11th century) and Momine Khatun (12 th century .) , Gyaur-Kala fortress ( Shahtahty , 2,000 BC) as well as unique Khudaferin bridges across the Araks river.

Sheki, Azerbaijan

The history of this small town began 2,700 years ago. And by right it is considered one of the oldest settlements and cultural centers of Azerbaijan. Sheky is famous for its severe but at the same time impressive nature: stout hills, blue ribbons of mountain rivulets, dark greens of coniferous woods. In the past Sheky had been the capital of Sheky khanate which after its conquest in1805 was included in the structure of Russian Empire. For all its centuries-old history this city was exposed to numerous destructions.

Shamakhi, Azerbaijan

Only 130 km separates Baku from one of the most ancient and most interesting cities of the country - Shamakhi. In the 9th - 16th centuries this city was the capital of Shirvan and the residence Shirvan Dynasty (before it was moved to Baku ). Standing on the crossing point of caravans routes it was one of the largest centers of commerce and crafts in the Near East.