Shamakhy

Shamakhy, one of the most ancient cities in Azerbaijan, has been the capital of Shirvan since the 6th century. It was first mentioned by the Greek astronomer and geographer Claudius Ptolemy in the 2 nd century A.D. Located on the Silk Road at the junction of caravan routes which linked Asia with Europe, Shemaka was an important political, trade and cultural center with bustling bazaars trading in silk, carpets, gold cloth, wool, and arms. Few cities have had such a magnificent and tragic past. The city has been destroyed many times by Arab, Persian, Mongol and Turkish conquers as well as by earthquakes.

Consequently Shemaka has an overall modern appearance. Near Shemaka is the Yeddi Giumbez or seven cupolas which is the tomb of the Shirvan Khans. The half-ruined cupolas and crooked tomb stones bear witness to formidable earthquakes. Above the cemetery is the ruin of the Gulistan Fortress which dates from the 10-12th centuries. A few kilometres above Shamakhy there a number of picturesque "highland" villages such as Chuxuryurd with magnificent views of the Caucasus Mountains.