Sheki is a old settlement from 7 th century and a historical town in the silk route and situated 325 km North west of the capital of Azerbaizan Baku . This is a UNESCO World heritage site specially this khanate place of the 18 th century . Some of the tourist places of Sheki are the khanate palace , caravansarai , silk factory and the old Albanian church of Kish any many more . This city is situated in the Caucasian mountain region . Some tourist also come here for Hiking .
First it was under the Albanian kingdom then it was annexed by the persian kingdom and later a independent kingdom of khan ruled this land in the 18 th century and in this famous palace was build . After that in 19 th century it was again annexed by the Russian empire and after the breakdown of the soviet Prussia it got independence in 1991 . After that it is governing by a secular government .
sheki xan sarayi or khan palace :
Khan palace is one of the most important place and a UNESCO World Heritage site in the city of Sheki . It is situated in a hill top under the castle of the Khanate of Sheki . They are an independent ruler in this area and this palace has been established by husain ali in the 18 th century
You can see beautiful wood carving glass work and the fresco in the inside wall of this palace . This is also the residence palace and for the Darbar. (where people in this region comes with their problem ).
It is opened between 9 am – 6 pm and between (1pm – 2 pm ) it is closed as the lunch break . The entry fees for the local is 2 manat and for foreigner 9 manna . If you take a guide then it is cost 3 mannat for the local people and 10 mannat for the foreigner people .
The house of craftsman of shake :
This is a market inside the castle where the local handicraft items are sold . Here you can see local woman sell caps woolen cloths and window frame where there is art of carpentry and colored glass . You can also see how they are making this items .
There is a small museum of different food eaten by the Azerbaizani people . Entry fees is just 1 mannat and inside this they make models of different types of ovens , breads and other popular food in Azerbaizan . This is a private museum where a old lady was the caretaker . This is small but you will gets lots of information about the food culture in Azerbaizan .
Azerbaizani food is mostly influenced by the Turkis and Persian and central asian food culture . Kababs are from mostly Iran but the kymac , smetana and other items has turkic influence and pila is influenced by the central asian food culture .
kish almabania temple :
There is lots of conflict around the creation of this church . This church was first build in the 1st century by st Elishe in this place by armenian people .
But another history says that this Georgian orthodox church was established in 12 th century and local people accepted the orthodox Georgian religion .
The mashrutka 9 does not enter into this area . You have to walk almost 1 km from the mashrutka stop to reach the place .
This church is opened between morning 9 am to evening 6 pm . You can see the church structure from outside but if you want to go inside the church there is a ticket . I look it from outside .
upper sheki karavansaray :
This are used by the merchants to rest and sell their goods in the 18 th and 19 th century whoever travel in the silk route . The basement is used for the stock of goods and the upper two floors are used for the resting place of the merchants . Now the second floor is used as a restaurant and a Hotel . The ground floor in the courtyard is used as the selling point of the goods .
Khan Mosque :
This is a historical mosque in the city of sheki which was build in the year 1769 by Sheki khan Muhammad Huseyn khan during the sheki khanate Empire . For certain period it has been used as a madrassa . beside the mosque there is a tall minerate of 18 meter . There were some orchid trees . people thought it to be religious .
everyday this mosque has been opened between 7 am to 11 pm .
silk factory :
Sheki has a history of producing silk for the past four hundred years and famous for various silk products . Now a days it is very difficult to get the access of the silk factory where the actual silk products are produced . Now a days there is a store adjoining to the factory where you can see lots of silk products .
It is opened between 9 AM to 6 PM and you can buy silk products , carpets and some traditional azerbaizani things .
Omar Afandi mosque :
It was a mosque build in the 19 th century . It has some traditional azerbaizani architecture . During the soviet era it has been used as the warhouse . from 1950 – 1986 . In 1986 the mosque was burned by an accident . Later by the local support the building was rebuild once again .
It has a 14 meter minerate beside the mosque . and it is also a UNESCO World heritage site in this area .
Summary :
Sheki is historical as well as mountainous city . It has been situated in the Caucasian mountains . in 18 th century it has been the capital of sheki khanates which is a independent kingdom . It has lots of places to visit like sheki castle , omar afrandi mosque , silk factory , khan mosque , upper karavansaray and AKishlbania temple .
