in the footsteps of the Shirvanshahs

With its Silk Road heritage and significance as the capital of the powerful state ruled by the Shirvanshahs during the Middle Ages, Shamakhi has an undeniably rich history. Little of the historic city remains apart from the ruins of Narin Qala, Gulustan and Bughurt – fortresses once protecting Shamakhi but now sitting reclaimed by nature on remote mountaintops. Hiking to them is a wonderful way of experiencing the Caucasus Mountains. History hunters should also visit the Yeddi Gumbaz (Seven Domes) cemetery complex, perched on a grassy hill with great views back over the city. The complex houses seven large tombs belonging to the last ruler of the Shirvan Khanate (1748-1820) and his family, and are typical of the Shirvan architectural school. Also buried here is one of Azerbaijan’s most celebrated poets, Mirza Alakbar Sabir, whose satirical poems were frequently published in Molla Nasreddin, a celebrated magazine of the early 20th century.