Shamakhi, picturesque treasury of Land of Fire

From mountains and beaches to towns and villages, Azerbaijan hosts various stunning destinations that haven’t been overtaken by tourists. Travelers always remember the romantic Maiden Tower in the center of Baku, dazzling Palace of Sheki Khans in Sheki, as well as the cradle of human civilization -- Gobustan with thousands of incredible petroglyphs.

But, the Land of Fire carries quite a lot of unexpected discoveries that await visitors at the close acquaintance with its cities and regions. While some of these locations are remote, others are hidden gems often overlooked by tourists.

Shamakhi, the ancient capital of Azerbaijan located 122 km from Baku, is the place to be for those in search of the best spots to visit in the cuntry.

The history of Shamakhi, which is replete with shady forests and green meadows, dates back to the 5th century BC.

The city has a rich heritage, providing the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence. For centuries, Shamakhi was one of Azerbaijan's most prominent cities, an important cultural and trading centre and the royal seat of the Shirvanshahs (9th to 18th centuries).

Today, the city is well known for wine-making and carpet weaving. To meet craftsmen, weaving famous carpets such as "Shirvan", "Gobustan", "Shamakhi", "Israfil" and "Ardzhiman" tourists can visit village of Jangi.

Exceptional and flamboyant nature and mild climate adorn the city and its suburbs, having all the conditions for skiing in winter and horseback riding in summer.

Despite the numerous earthquakes in the region, Shamakhi still preserved many historical monuments. The "must see" attractions in Shamakhi are Juma mosque with its two minarets built in the 10th century, the mausoleum of Shahihandan and Diri-Baba, the tomb of the Shirvan Khans, the ruins of the Gulistan citadel and the Gala-Bugurt fortress.

One of the most renowned places in the city is the Juma Mosque also called the Friday Mosque of Shamakhi that dates back to 734-744. Considered the landmark of Shamakhi, it is the only building that withstood giant earthquakes.

Another picturesque area of the city is "Girkh-Bulag" (forty springs), well-known for its impressive springs. To protect the beautiful nature of the region a reserve "Pirkuli" covering 1,521 hectares was established.

The largest astrophysical observatory in Azerbaijan and the whole Caucasus is also located in Pirkuli, Shamakhi. The observatory named after famous Azerbaijani architect, astronomer, mathematician and philosopher Nasreddin Tusi is equipped with modern facilities and one of the largest in the CIS telescope with a mirror diameter of 2 meters.