Shaki is one of the oldest cities in Azerbaijan. In medieval sources it is mentioned as Shaki, Shaka, Shakki, etc. It is located on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus. Its centre is Shaki city. The northern part of the Shaki region is a part of the southern slopes of Main Caucasus Range, central part is a part of Ganikh-Ayrichay valley, the southern part is a part of Ajinohur low mountains. Among the mountains there are Ajinohur trench (100–200 m) and Shaki plateau (200–400 m) in Shaki region. Absolute height reaches 3683 m on the dividing range of Main Caucasus Range.
ŞThe nature of Shaki is very diverse. There are many species of animals and plants. Mountain-forest chestnut, mountain-forest brown, forest-meadow, and gray-chestnut soils are widespread. Oaks, beeches, and walnut trees dominate in the forests. It has rich animal world.
As a result of charming nature, unique historical and architectural monuments, developed crafts and maintaining rich historical and cultural heritage, Shaki has become significant tourist region of Azerbaijan.
In winter, the entry of Arctic and temperate air masses into the territory results in warm weather. In summer, local mountain breeze and valley breezes form in Shaki. The reason for this is the difference in the pressure between the mountain and the valley. The Greater Caucasus Range prevents cold winds from the north. Therefore, the temperature in January in Shaki is 0.5 °C. Average annual temperature in Shaki is 12 °C. Average temperature in June and August ranges 20 to 25 °C.
The population of Shaki region is 184172 people. 68360 of them live on the territory of the city and 115812 - on rural territories.
Sights of Shaki:
Chalabi Khan restaurant, Palace of Shaki Khans, Round temple or Nukha Three Saints Church, Upper Caravanserai, Albanian Temple in Kish
Shaki cuisine
Sheki cuisine traditionally brings to mind Sheki baklava and piti. We can also mention candy (nabat), boiled sugar and sweet peshvang.
Palace of Shaki Khans is former Khan Palace located in Shaki, Azerbaijan. At present, it functions as a museum. The palace, situated on the territory of the Upper Head State Historical and Architectural Reserve, is a monument of history and architecture of the world importance. The building of the palace, built in the Persian style in the XVIII century, is situated in the north-eastern part of the city, on the territory surrounded by the fortress walls.
Two-storey palace, 30 meters long, has an area of 300 m2, consists in 6 rooms, 4 corridors and two balconies with the mirrors. The facade of the palace is decorated with narrative images describing the scenes of hunting and battles, as well geometric and botanical patterns. There is large mosaic window assembled from the glass of different colours in the very centre of the facade. Mosaic windows of the palace, assembled from coloured glass, are enclosed in the stone frames.
The Palace building, which also has the features of folk residential buildings, is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of the palace architecture of XVIII century in the Caucasus, as well one of architectural pearls of Islamic East. Together with historical city centre, the palace is a World Heritage Site.
Main characteristic feature of the niche images of the Palace of Shaki Khans is that, unlike the XVIII century paintings on the stalactites and scenes of hunting and battles on the friezes, they do not have independent narrative composition. The drawings of the birds and animals here form general appearance with the design formed using the flowers.
Round Temple, Nukha Three Saints Church (in Russian: Нухинская трехсвятительская церковь) or Nukha Saint Church" (in Russian: Нухинская Святительская церковь) is architectural monument of national importance, located in Nukha fortress in Shaki city. At present, Shaki Museum of Applied Art is located inside this building.
The upper part of main part of Round temple (without the additions) is complemented by a dome, and this original part differs significantly from other sxtructurers in the fortress in its architectural style and building materials used in its construction. Therefore, some researchers attribute its history to the times of Caucasian Albania. However, when examining the territory of the Nukha fortress in the middle of XX century, the experts concluded that all the buildings inside the fortress with an area of 6 ha belonged to the Russian period, except for the Mosque and the Palace of Shaki khans. Round Church was the only Orthodox church functioning on the territory of modern Shaki city from at least 1853 (XIX century) to early XX century.
Initially the church building was constructed of pure cut limestone in a circular plan and was complemented by a dome. Later it was expanded from three sides with the additions of the river stone and brickwork, and given the shape of a cross (seen from above). This work was completed in 1853. Thus, there was the church building shown together with the additions in the shape of a cross on the plan of Nukha fortress of 1853.
There is no mention of the church in the description of Nukha fortress of 1819. However, after the description provided information about the buildings themselves in Nukha fortress and their coordinates, it was also noted that “other buildings in the fortress belonging to Shaki rulers were captured by the soldiers and Khoi people”. This note clearly demonstrates that some of the buildings existed in the fortress at that time may not be indicated in the description, therefore, it is impossible to determine whether the church existed in Nukha fortress in 1819 based on the Description.
Kish church or church of St. Elysee is historical and architectural monument situated in Kish village, Shaki region. According to some authors, it is the first church in the Caucasus. There are some opinions about its functioning as Albanian, Georgian and Armenian church at different times.
In accordance with the "History of the state of Albania" St. Elysee, who was sent to Albania by St. Yakov, religion brother of Jesus, in order to preach the Christianity, first carried out the mission for some time in the province of Chola and Uti, and then went to the village called "Gish" and built a church there. Modern Christian theologians believe that this event occurred a little later than 60 AD.
Albanian Apostle church is one of the oldest churches in the Caucasus, as well in the entire Christian world. The spread of the Christianity in Albania and the creation of its first church are associated with the name of the Apostles. There is also the information in ancient sources about the construction of this church in the Kish (Gis) village.
During the first census in Shaki province in 1824, there was no Christians, including a Christian religious figure registered in Kish village. According to the testimony of Rashid bey Efendiyev, at early 20th century there were no Christians in Kish village, but he notes that Zugh (زوغ) (Tugh?) Armenians, sheltered in Nukha (Shaki) city, "...misappropriated the church and plastered its walls and put iron on it. They took away from this figure the appearance of historical monument". Rashid bey also emphasized that this church "dated back to the time of the apostles", but also noted that if the excavations were carried out around the monument, "no doubt that it should give excellent results."