Did you love Apples ? then Quba is the perfect place for you . Quba Azerbaijan is called the apple capital of Azerbaijan for it’s tastiest and juicy apples . It is also the gateway to the greate cacus mountains where the famous kinaliq village is situated . Khinaliq village and their tribes annual migration is a UNESCO listed phenomanon . This khinaliq village is just 50 km from the Quba city . This city is situated beside the Kadyal River . Opposite side of the river is called Red City . Which is the place for the mountain Jews .You can see some of the oldest and beautiful mosque here and also the famous carpet weaving techniques . You can also visit the Quba Genocide memorial complex which tells about the history of Azerbaizan(specifically the cacaus) after the collapse of russian empire .
How to reach Quba ?
Quba is a mountain city in the cacuas region , 170 km from the Baku city . From Baku international bus terminal near from Avtovaghzal Metro station . From baku either Bus or Masrutka(small mini vans ) reach Quba . Buses are very infrequent so better option will be the Mashrutka . It takes 9 Mannat to reach there .
The nearest railway station is khachmaz which is just 20 km from quba city .
Roads and the trains are the only transport available in this region .
Places to visit in Azerbaizan :
Quba Genocide Memorial complex :
This memorial complex has been opened in 2013 after the mass graveyard was found (400) in this area in 2007 .
It tells the history after the collapse of russuian empire in earlier 20 th century . Then there is power struggle between Bolsheviks, Armenians, Azerbaijani people . That time armenians control the Baku city . They mainly massacared the local muslim people in this region .
After the collapse of the soviet union when Azerbaizan becomes a independent country they make this monument for the rememberance of this tragic incident .
Shardagh National Park:
Shardagh National Park is a beautiful Forest around the peak Shardagh (4243 meter) , one of the heighest in Azerbaizan . From the quba city it is just 25-30 km in distance .
In this park you can do camping , hiking , paraglyding and animal watching . You can see brown bear , wolves , lynxes, chamois , mountain goats , deer , eagle and falcons . Oak , beech , hornbeam , berch are the main trees found in this national Park .
Juma-Mosque in quba :
This Juma mosque was build in the year 1802 by the Sheikh abbas . It is the symbol of the city , made of red clay brick in octangonal size . It’s interior was looks like turkik style mosque . The floor has been covered by beautiful wooven carpets . Specially the chandeliers are very beautiful . There is a minerate just beside the mosque .
This mosque only opens in Friday . This is the religious and cultural center of the quba city . It carries a history of 200 years and have unique azerbaizani architecture . near by another fammous mosque is Sakina-Khanum Mosque .
Nizami Park :
This park is dedicated to the poet Nizami Ganjavi(1141-1209) , who was one of the greatest poet in Azarbaizani Literature . His mouseleum has been situated near to the city Ganja . Inside the park there is a big statue of this revered poet .
Inside the park there is walkiing pathway , fountains and relaxing seats for the people of this city . Local events and celebrations are happend in this park . People come here in morning and evening for relaxing .
Turkish Bath House :
This turkish bath house is build in the 18 th century and upto 1985 it was served for this purpose . It has two domes where the actual temperature has been controlled . It has six rooms inside the hummam . It is named Chukur Hammam .
After 1985 this building has been converted into a memorial complex as in 1918 mass killing happens inside those chambers in the power struggle after the collapse of russian empire . This building has been connected with this citie’s brutal past History.
Carpet Weaving Museum :
This place is actually a workshop where the local ladies weave carpet using the traditional old ways . In this one place spinning , dying and knotting all are done .
It is opened from monday to friday from 8 AM to 5 PM . What I experience is that it is a shop from outside and you need special permission to see the weaving area .
Afurdzhi waterfall:
Afurdzhi waterfall is one of the heighest waterfall in the Azerbaizan . It is located in the mountains of cacaus . It is 75 meter in height and the road sides are filled with lush forest and stip cliff .
In the monsoon time it looks very beautiful between the may to September . You need a good vehicle to reach this waterfall . As the last few miles are pathetic in road condition .
afurdzhi waterfall
Red City :
This settlement is situated just opposite to the Kadyal river where the quba city is situated . In 18 th century the ruler of this city invited this jews people . This people are called the Red city . In this city , all the members are jews . Just before the entry to this city there is strong barricade and police presence .
There is a synogogue and a cemetery in this city . This jews people are called the mountain jews or the Jews of the Cacaus.
Jews Cemetery :
Just beside the river in the valley people lived there and the large portion of the mountain site has been the Cemetery . If you climb in the top you can see the whole area , in both the sides there are settlement of peoples .
Beside the every burial there is a stone pillar where something is written in the language of Hibrew . In the top there is a resting place or something like this .
Summary :
Quba is age old city famous for the Jews Settlement , It’s beautiful islamic Architecture and nature around the city and it’s delicious apples . It is called the gateway to the great cacus mountains . People here are friendly and widely welcoming . I traveled both the sides of the river and in the next days I traveled toward the Xhinaliq village which is famous for it’s migrating tribal people . From here you will get shared taxi to reach the Khinaliq village . Quba is a one day mid journey stopover to the Xhinaliq Village .
