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Sheki is one of the most famous and ancient places of Azerbaijan. Situated 700 m above sea level like an amphitheatre surrounded by the mountains and forests of oak trees, this ancient city was long famed as a silk centre and an important stop on the Great Silk Route
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Azerbaijan 23 Sheki 2
Sheki is one of the most famous and ancient places of Azerbaijan. Situated 700 m (2297 ft.) above sea level like an amphitheatre surrounded by the mountains and forests of oak trees, this ancient city was long famed as a silk centre and an important stop on the Great Silk Route
Djuma Mosque (18th century) The mosque, its minaret and the ancient cemetery today are protected by the state as important historical monuments
One of the peculiarities of Sheki is its red ceramic roof tops. Historically all the roof tops of the houses in Sheki were done in red ceramic. Ceramics-makers have always been working in Sheki and continue doing so today
One of the most ancient settlements and cultural centres of Azerbaijan, Sheki was founded more than 2700 years ago at the southern slopes of the Major Caucasus Mountains Chain The Church of Kish in the vicinity of Sheki are thought to be approximately 1,500 years old
During its millennial historical the town used to be devastated many times, so the most part of the historic and architectural monuments currently preserved are dated to the 16th-19th centuries Construction of caravanserai is dated back to the 18th-19th centuries AD
Swift development of trade in the Middle Ages enhanced importance of caravanserai existing in the territory of Azerbaijan at that time and favored construction of new ones. Generally caravanserai were built in form of castles with one gate, closing of which made them impregnable during dangerous incidents. Since 1988, the lower caravanserai is used as a hotel complex
In the 18th - 19th centuries 5 big caravanserais were active in Sheki. Only two of them have survived Dancers in Sheki
6th-century Caucasian Albanian church is now Museum of National Applied Art in Sheki
6th-century Caucasian Albanian church is now Museum of National Applied Art in Sheki
6th-century Caucasian Albanian church is now Museum of National Applied Art in Sheki
Shaki is also known for its fine needlework. As early as 200 years ago, shoes, pillowcases, and other decorated items were sold in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and even Western Europe.During a visit to Shaki, French novelist Alexandre Dumas was fascinated by the decorative needlework. He wrote, "The charm of this needlework is in the way it is carried out: a dark, monotone background (usually velvet or broadcloth), a special awl and colorful silken threads. The masters demonstrated extraordinary skills imprinting designs on the fabric."
