www.dervishtravel.com Nakhciavan is an Autonomous Republic with population around 70 thousand people, located on south-east of Azerbaijan and separated from is by a thin line of Armenian territory On the south of Nakhchivan, along Araz river the state border of Azerbaijan with Iran and Turkey is located. The capital of the Autonomous Republic is Nakhchivan city.
Nakhchivan is located on the southern slopes of Daralayaz mountains and south-west slopes of Zangasur mountains that are the highest in the Azeri part of Smaller Caucasus. The highest tops here are Gipijik (3904) and Ilandagh (2415m) famous with its beauty and known as being unassailable.
Nakhchivan is a land generously granted by the nature with beauty and wealth, such as rock-salt, and poly-metals, marble, lime and gypsom, medicinal mineral springs (Badamli, Sirab, Vaykhir). Almond-tree, eastern oak, important type of nuts, beech, maple, a lot of medicinal plants, as well as melons and gourds and horticultural croups are growing here.
The climate in Nakhchivan is sharp continental with temperature fluctuation from +43 in summer and –20 in winter.
Nakhchivan historically played and still plays an important role in the life of the country. It is symbolic that the national leader Heydar Aliyev was born here.
In XII-XIII centuries, Nakhchivan was the capital of the state of Ilgezids, which was famous with wisdom of its rulers, political stability and was the center of culture, science and art. The architecture was particularly advanced here and it gave new trend in architecture and the name of the greatest architect of East - Ajami. The Momine Khatun mausoleum, created by him is the symbol of the city.
After all, Nakhchivan holds on of the first places in the country in terms of numbers of cultural-historical and architectural monuments.
It will take you several weeks to visit all the sights. Still you should find time to
see architectural complex Imamzade (XII-XIII), mausoleum of Yusuf ibn Fatullah, ancient mosques and other interesting places. Believe us, impressions with stay with you for years.
Ordubad
Ordubad district is located in the eastern part of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and border with Armenia and Iran. It is famous with its beautiful nature, fresh air and aromatic fruits. The center of the district – Ordubad city, is located at the altitude of 850 m above the sea level on the Ordubad river. Its second name is the city of «gardens, roses and nightingales».
Ordubad city, build in the XII century, is now the second city in the autonomous republic.
The most important thing that attracts tourists to Ordubad is the huge number of ancient monuments, witnessing the rich historical and cultural heritage. Monuments of different ages – stone statues of ram of bronze age in Aza, Der, Nesirvaz villages, ruins of settlements of II-I millennium B.C. in Sabir village, middle age constructions in villages Kilit, Velaver, Aylis, Aza, Kotam, Bilev, ruins of the ancient city Anabad, as well as monuments of later ages like mosque Juma Maschid, Dilbar-Maschid, tower Afgan (XVIII) reached to our times. Tourists especially admire ancient plane trees with circle of trunk up to 18 m!!! Even more than that, they like the hospitality of local people that are ready to receive guests any time with warmth and show the city.
Julfa
Julfa is located on the bank of Araz river, right on the border with Iran. On the other side of the river another Julfa, but Iranian is located. Since ancient times this city, located on the intersection of caravan routs, was big trade city and economic and cultural center of East. This fact is witnessed by ruins of the biggest in the territory of Azerbaijan caravan-saray. Right next to it there is another witness of ancient history of the city – the frame of the ancient bridge, built in XIV century. Among other monuments of old times the special attention deserve the mausoleum Gulistan (XIII) near Juga village, ruins of three mausoleums near Der village (XV), fortress ALinda Galasi and Naimi Kuseyir (1162), ensemble of «Giz Bulaghi» (Maiden Spring) complex, ruins of ancient city Gilan, «Khan Evi» (House of Khan) palace, and mausoleum of Mausoleum in Khanaga settlement.
Julfa is famous not only with is landscape, but with mineral springs (there are more than 40 here!) too. Most likely, the secret of good health of local people is in the mineral waters of Julfa which are rich with salts.
Shahbuz
Shahbuz district, located on the north of the autonomous republic, with administrative center of the same name is one of the most spectaculars and ancient places of this land. The antiquity of this land is proven by sites of primitives, discovered close to city. House of human with 4 rooms and verandah made in the rock gives really a strong impression.
People call this place «Farhad’s house» after the hero of Nizami’s poem about Farhad the stonemason who cut out a huge rock for the woman he loved. Another site of the city is the Shakhpur fortress, named after local ruler, and other unique monuments – ruins of mausoleum, ancient towers with branched water supply system (!). According to scientists, there was a big city here, which was mentioned in manuscripts of XVIII century. Minaret that remained till our days and ruins of other constructions witness the greatness of the city.
Tourists that come to Shahbuz not just to rest, but improve health as well, are very much attracted by «Badamli» resort area, located in a spectacular place. This famous water is widely recommended for gastro-intestinal conditions, made Shahbuz famous internationally. |