holy heritagein Nakhchivan
The religious sites of Nakhchivan stand as symbols of faith and a sacred legacy. By journeying to these ancient mosques and centuries-old sanctuaries, you can truly experience the grandeur and diversity of the area’s religious history.
If you find yourself in the city of Nakhchivan, we recommend starting at Jame Mosque, which features a single minaret and can also be seen in a painting by the famous artist Bahruz Kangarli. This architectural monument, which once served not only as a place of worship, but also as an educational centre for locals, dates to the 18th century. The city is also home to Heydar Mosque, one of the largest in the South Caucasus. It became fully operational in 2023 and can accommodate up to 5,000 people at a time.
Juma Mosque in Ordubad deserves special attention. Constructed in the 17th century by order of Shah Abbas I, an ancient inscription above the entrance suggests that some parts of it may have been built as far back as the 8th century. The two-storey Sersheher Mosque from the 18th century, situated in the Ordubad neighbourhood of the same name, impresses visitors with its stained-glass windows made in the ‘shebeke’ tradition.
Elsewhere, it is well worth a visit to Asni Shrine in the village of Garabaghlar in Kangarli District and Uch Gardash Shrine (that translates to ‘Three Brothers’) in the village of Kirna in Julfa District. The former is believed to date back to ancient times when the local population were still worshipping trees, mountains and water. The latter, also known as ‘Deshik Dash’ (‘stone with a hole’) and ‘Papagli Dash’ (‘stone with a hat’), is shrouded in a multitude of legends and beliefs.
