GAZAKH

Number of population of district is 83.000, district center is Gazakh city, its population is 19.000 people. GAZAKH DISTRICT is situated near western borders of Azerbaijan. In general, Gazakh and Agstafa districts are considered western borders of not modern Azerbaijan only as well state of Caucasian Albania. Division of this region into two independent administrative districts – Gazakh and Agstafa districts took place not long ago. There are historical monuments (architectural and archeological monuments) here that are preserved by state: SINIG KORPU (XII c), DAMJILI Cave, Temple of V century in YUKHARI ESKIPARA village, SHEKER GALA Temple of XV century, DIDEVAN megalith Defense Castle, Temples Complex of Alban era (VII c) in DASH SALAHLY village, GOYAZAN Mountain (last middle ages), which is attractive with ruins of castle walls, and ruins of ancient city recently discovered near that.There are many ancient habitations within Gazakh district: caves periodically inhabited by Neanderthals in AVEY Mountain, between Dash Salahly and Kemerly villages, Injesu River valley, north-east parts of Small Caucasus, settlements of Cro-Magnon men near DAMJILI cave in Avey Mountain, KHAL-KHAL city place near beautiful pinky-golden GIZIL GAYA and ruins of castle walls were found out. This territory is supposed to be one of summer residences of Alban rulers. Without implementing any excavations, archeologists found here numerous ruins of ceramic appliances of Bronze Age on the surface of ground. In due time Albans destroyed troops of Roman Pompey here. Ancient written sources say about this: ‘10,000 horsemen and 60,000 pedestrians of Albans were fighting against troops of Pompey’.Barrow graves of Bronze Age were discovered in BERKIN AGZI canyon, which is located a bit west of GIZIL GAYA. All these historical objects (except Sinig korpu) are nearby Gazakh city. Due to efforts of initiator men of this land, numerous archeological artifacts have been collected and exhibited at local Regional geography museum. People coming to YUKHARI SALAHLY village can visit here house of popular Azeri Poet SAMAD VURGUN.Relief of Gazakh district – mountains, valleys, rivers (Kur, Agstafachay, Jogaz, Khramchay) have always been effective for seasonal cattle-breeding. In winter local herdsmen bring sheep frocks from pastures (mountainous grasslands) and keep them here. Local character of folk music and national cuisine is connected to natural circumstance of this territory. Ashigs are many here, they are invited to family celebrations and holidays.Ancient name of GAZAKH CITY is supposed to be ‘Kasal’ and ‘Qazaka’. By some written sources, Mervan ibn Mohammad built a city here in VIII century.Gazakh, which is the last biggest city in western frontier of Azerbaijan, is homeland of talented poets and writers. Population of Gazakh is known as people with special poetic emotions. A number of popular ashigs, scientists and fighters were born here. Poets Samad Vurgun, Molla Panah Vagif, writers Mehdi Huseyn, Ismail Shikhly, general Aliaga Shikhlinsky, who was called ‘God of Artillery’ and took part in defense of Port-Arthur Castle, and others are from Gazakh. First Teachers Seminary in Azerbaijan was opened here – in Gazakh in 1917.There are museums reflecting life of famous poets VAGIF and VIDADI, origin of Gazakh, ancient mosque and other interesting objects in the city. Gazakh is also popular as one of the very ancient carpet-weaving centers and horse-breeding factories. Local horses DILIBOZ raised here are specially famous. There is big need in world market for carpets ‘Kemerli’, ‘Dag Kesemen’, ‘Gazakhcha’, ‘Aggoyunlu’, ‘Dord Buynuz’, ‘Shikhly’, ‘Chobankere’, ‘Borchaly’, ‘Fakhraly’, ‘Gaymagly’ that are products of Gazakh carpet school. Cuisine of Gazakh region consists of simple but very delicious meat and floury meals. Tourists are recommended to stay at houses of local residents.

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