Although each single city has its specific beauty, some towns are distinguished by its historical background and some by its mountains and forests. Shaki city is always in the area of the interest of tourists and Azerbaijanis with both its forests and its historicity. The town known as Nukha was called Shaki after 1968.
It is possible to go to the city located far 370 km from Baku about 4.5 hours by 3 ways (Kurdamir, Agsu and Ismailli ). The shortest route is Ismailli road. Mainly, drivers of sedan cars prefer this road. Because, the highway passing through İsmayilli road which is beautiful and shorter than others. You feel cold when passing from here even during the hottest day of summer, because leaves of the trees on the both side of the road do not let sunlight go through.
Sheki is not too big. Two day are enough for going to sightseeing of the city. The people of the city are very hospitable and they try to help tourists in any matter.
Sheki is located in the southern of the Greater Caucasus, and its road are upside-down and not very wide. Even though all roads have been covered with cobblestone in the past, currenty the main parts are paved.
Some roads are being reconstructed due to setting of its sewerage system. The “arkhs” have been built along the roads for flowing of rainwaters to the river.
The river passing through the city center gives a special beauty to Shaki. Shaki is like Tbilisi both for this aspect, and for historicity. When you passing through the narrow streets of Shaki, you feel like you are inside the ancient Azerbaijani films. Almost, the Caucasus snowy mountains are seen from each streets.
Air of the city are cool and fresh because it is located on slope of mountains. It is impossible to get exhausted from heat on summer days. Sometimes, continious rain may be annoying.
Shaki khan palace
The museum built-in 1762 is one of the places attracting the most attention of its guests and accepting hundreds of tourists every year. The building have been built during the reign of Hussein Khan, the grandson of Chalabi Khan, who founded the first independent khanate in Azerbaijan. Although the palace is inside the castle, it is surrounded by additional walls.
The spectacularity of the palace is that during the construction no glue or nail has been used. There are bird pictures, plot illustrations, fight and hunting scenes in walls of two-storey palace. Tastefully decorated niches, mirrored fireplaces are an example of true art. The niches have been decorated with illustrations were drawn to the “Layla and Majnun”, poem of Nizami Ganjavi.
The plane trees were planted beside of the pool are 400 years old. (They was planted in 1532). The width of the trees is 13.50 meters and the height is 42 meters. It is prohibited to cut the trees down as they preserved by “The Red book”.
There are museum, Albanian temple, a cafe serving national dishes and Shaki dishes, shops selling handicrafts in the yard.
It is allowed to riding horse, taking photos in the yard surrounded by castle walls. Even there was a man praying on the lawn.
Shaki halva
When someone tells he is in Shaki, everyone tell him that “bring me baklava when you come”. Although, this sweets are named “bakhlava” in some Azerbaijan region, however, local residents call it “halva”. It is one of the most preferred desserts by the city’s guests. It is difficult to eat halva, which is made from rice flour, nut or hazelnut, and “sherbet” more than two or three slices due to its sweetness. If someone wants can order halva with honey instead of sherbet. The price of the halva is 6 manat. Guest`s favorite halva are Ali Akhmad’s and Yahiya’s products.
The exact information about the history of Sheki Halva has not been reached so far. There are currently more than 60 halva shops in Shaki. Some of them are belong to local residents. Many of them are belong to local residents.
Shaki Piti
When someone say piti, Shaki comes to mind. Piti is made in pottery called “dobu”. Although It looks like “bozbash” for the firsh glance, however they are different absolutely. The distinctive feature of piti which made from meat, chickpeas, and chestnut is crushing before eating. In ancient times, local residents have used the “rumka” for crushing chickpeas. Most times, when the piti is served, the sumak with onion slices are also placed next to it.
You don’t feel hungry for a 6, 7 hour, when eat one “dobu” piti. The piti reportedly was given to the workers in ancient times due to its high calories.
If you are in Shaki, you may choose “Gagarin” restaurant, which is located on way to the Shaki Khan palace. Because, meal of this restaurant is tasty and the view of the city is seem gorgeous from here.
Caravanserais
There were five caravanserais in Shaki. Only two of them – Upper and Lower caravanserais have been remained until now. The palace, built in the 18th century for travelers and caravans, is now used as a hotel and there are restaurant, in which is served national dishes.
You feel gorgeous when entering the old palace, which is full of green trees. The ceiling of inner part of the gates is cupola, which is made from brick.
Caravanserai is one of the most liked places which all of visitors choose here for photo shooting. The Azerbaijani film “Hem ziyaret, hem ticaret” ( Visit and trade ) , in which actor Haci Ismailov costarred with Nuriya Ahmedova, have been set in the yard of the Caravanserai. Even Rajab Tayib Ardogan, president of the Turkey have also been here.
There are also sightseeing places such as Markhal, Soyuqbulag, Galarsan-Görersen fortress, Mustafa bay’s place, Khan lowland in Shaki. A restaurant surrounded by greenery have been built near the Soyuqbulag. The road to the Markhal passes near the Soyugbulag. The water of this spring is like ice and very tasty.
Gelersen-Görersen fortress is located on the coast of the Kish river, about 4 kilometres from Shaki city center. The path to the castle is tiring because it is upright. However, it is worth to be breathless for its amazing view. From here the town is look as in your palm.
The fortress built in for protection from enemy still maintains its actuality. In general, in not only this castle, but in all Shaki has sightseeings. Even though the city is far from Baku, however, it is worth to visit Shaki for its beautiful panorama.
Bəxtiyar Umarlı - More than Blog 