Ismayilli Azerbaijan is on the Greater Caucasus’s southern slopes, surrounded by woods, mountains, and greenery.
Ismailly is one of Azerbaijan’s stunning districts. Ismailly is part of Shirvan’s historical area.
The district’s territory belonged to Caucasian Albania. A vast number of antique monuments from various periods have been maintained here. The district’s lovely villages demand special notice.
Maiden’s Tower
The Maiden Tower, located on the summit of a rocky mountain in the Ismaili State Nature Reserve, is the region’s most prominent and influential historical monument. It is 10 kilometers from the district seat, near the village of Khanagi, and 3 kilometers from the road.
The mountain’s highest point is so densely forested that the sun’s rays do not penetrate, resulting in constant cooling.
Only a few turrets, walls, and a portion of the terrace remain from the castle.
An underground tube led from the tower to Javanshir’s fortification, located a few kilometers away in the surrounding settlement.
Javanshir Fortress
This stronghold, located 7 kilometers from the district seat and 4 kilometers from the town of Talistan on the right bank of the Agchai River, is Ismailly’s pride. Talistan, one of Ismailly’s oldest communities, is located 4 kilometers north of the district center. The toponym “tala meskeni” means “settlement in the meadow.”
Traces of four ancient towns and five cemeteries can be found near the area. Archaeological excavations began here in the 1960s. This land is thought to have a history of 2000 years.
After arriving in the settlement by car, the only way to access the Javanshir fortification is by horseback or on foot.
Local Lore Museum
The Ismayilli Museum of Local Lore is located on the grounds of Heydar Aliyev Park and allows visitors to learn about the region’s rich history firsthand.
The museum has been open since 1980 and relocated to a new building in 2009. Its collection comprises over 1,000 items, many of which are unique, like the world’s oldest butter!
Oil was discovered in an amphora in the town of Mollaisagly during the construction of the Oguz-Gabala-Baku water pipeline. According to specialists at the Moscow Museum of Archeology who examined it, the oil dates back to the III-I centuries BC.
Galachyg Village
It is 30 kilometers from the district center and the final settlement in this way. Toponym meaning “small fortress”.
The iconic episode of the erupting mountain, where Ismail from the film “Stepmother” retrieved the hips, was shot here.
This peak is placed directly amid the road heading to the settlement where the shooting was taking place.
A road was built here during filming, and the explosion occurred. At the time, the route to Galachig was arduous and lengthy.
Galachig, located in one of the most attractive regions of nature and with a superb climate, is famed for its big chestnuts.
Ivanovka
The village of Ivanovka is located on a pasture (pasture) among the rivers Goychay and Devebatan in the mountains of Ajinohur, 500-800 meters above sea level.
The village has an area of around 8,000 hectares. Along the road, there are yellow wheat fields and black-plowed fields.
Only after approaching them does, it become evident that the fields, which appear to be scorched soil from a distance, are agricultural, rural land.
The route to the settlement is quite precise and well-maintained. Ivanovka, which has preserved its customs, traditions, folklore, and life, is 14 kilometers from the district center.
Basgal
The settlement of Basgal (56 kilometers from the district headquarters) appears to be well-kept, similar to Baku’s medieval castle.
Until 1933, the village served as the district center. A musical called “Basgal” was produced to celebrate this village. Some scenes from “On Distant Shores” (1958) were filmed here.
The settlement of 60 hectares has been designated a state reserve. The number of residents of the village is minimal. So, 3,000 people lived here 20 years ago, but only roughly 1,500 remain today.
Kelaghayi
Basgal was a craft and silk-spinning hub throughout the Middle Ages, and Shekintsy learned silk weaving from Basgal.
Until recently, practically every household owned an antiquated silk-spinning machine. The art of dyers, weavers, sericulture, and silk weaving was passed down through generations. The laogai, or national shawl, is the most popular silk product.
Kelaghayi is a unique women’s headscarf created only in Azerbaijan. It’s also an excellent example of Azerbaijani folk art. Kelaghayi was a key feature of women’s dress, regardless of social rank.
Lahij Ismayilli Azerbaijan
The village of Lahij, which has existed since the seventh century, demands special attention. It is situated on the bank of Girdimanchaya at an elevation of 1200 meters above sea level. This little mountain village is one of Azerbaijan’s most interesting handcraft centers. Since ancient times, Lahij has been famed for its copper weaponry and tableware.
The meals and weaponry created by the masters of Lahij were well-known in the Caucasus and were highly sought after.
Lahij’s primary street is home to most of the village’s workshops and shops.
Despite the hardships, local artisans continue their ancestors’ labor as braziers, leather masters, potters, blacksmiths, hatters, and woodcutters.
