Gala Dinner

Within the Forum, on the 27th of September 2012, a Gala Dinner for the participants will be organized at Mugham Club, Old City. The Gala Dinner will be sponsored by   .

Field trip to the most popular tourist destinations: Gabala and Sheki   

The trip will start with the city tour in Gabala and lunch in Qafqaz Resort Hotel, Gabala. It will be followed by a dinner in Karvansaray Restaurant in Sheki. The participants will stay overnight in Sheki Saray Hotel.

Visit to the Palace of Sheki Khans and Albanian Church in Kish Village. 

 

Gabala

Gabala is a city in northern Azerbaijan. It is allegedly the most ancient city of the country: the ruins of the capital of Caucasian Albania (IV century BC) are not far from the town. Gabala is rich with crystal-clear water springs, waterfalls, chestnut and hazelnut trees. Being an agricultural center, Gabala specializes in wheat, barley, tobacco, silkworm drying, and food product manufacturing. The city of Gabala is famous for holding the Gabala International Music Festival, known for performances of classic and jazz music.

The historical sights, Imam Baba tomb (XVIII) and a medieval Juma mosque, are located in the district center.  The last Albanian church - Joaatari church (XVII) -is located in the Nij village, the largest village of the Gabala district with the Udis minority population (around 4000 people). There is also an old Albanian church (IV-VIII) in the village Amili, Ustajan fortress (IX-XIV) in Bayramkoha village, and a XVII century mausoleum in Shafili village. A seven-storey waterfall attracts many vistors coming to Gabala. Also, the tourists like visiting Durja village resort and Nohutgol resort with a fascinating view of the lake Nohut and its surroundings.

The beautiful landscapes of Gabala and its colorful historical sights will strike the hearts of the visitors and leave a lot of positive impressions.

  

Sheki

Sheki is situated in northern Azerbaijan to the South of the Greater Caucasus mountain range. It is supposed to be one of the most ancient cities in the Caucasus. Ancient Sheki was located on the crossroads of trade ways, being known as a center of silk and handicraft manufacturing.

Two caravanserais, roadside inns for merchants, built in XVIII century still remain as a heritage of the commercial history of Sheki, when merchants used to trade on the first floor and stay on the second. The Palace of Sheki Khans (1762), which was a summer residence of Sheki Khans, is indeed a pearl of XVIII century architecture and one of the most remarkable sights in Sheki. Marvelous pictures painted on the walls of the palace with oil paints and unique windows with an ensemble of colored glass set in a wooden latticework (shebeke), assembled without nails or glue, are spectacular. The fortress Galarsan Gorarsan was built in the VII-IX centuries and Sheki Castle was built in the XVIII century by Haji Chelebi Khan (the founder of Shaki Khanate), with walls which are 1300 meters long echoing various battles and invasions seen by the city. The History Museum of Sheki has a rich collection of exhibits from different periods. The history of the city’s silk production and trade is especially reflected here.    

The city has many churches and mosques. Most of the Caucasian Albanian churches have a history of more than a thousand years. The Church of Kish, located in the village of Kish, is thought to be more than 1,500 years old. The mosques also have a long history. The Khan's Mosque, built in the XV-XVI centuries; Juma mosque (XVIII century), and Gileili Minaret (XVIII century) are frequently attended by local worshippers and tourists. In addition, one should definitely see the hamams – public baths, which also have a long history and some of them still function today.

A recreation center “Markhal” is famous for its stunning landscapes. Visitors enjoy both picturesque views and delicious Sheki food there. While speaking about Sheki food, one should definitely mention piti, a stew with meat, potatoes and chickpea, a delicious baklava called Sheki halvasi, girmabadam, a hazelnut brittle, and boiled sugar nabat. The city is famous not only for cuisine and silk scarves, but also for jewellery, pottery, mosaics. A visit to Sheki will leave a lot of positive impressions, as well as an enhanced understanding of Azerbaijani culture and traditions.  

  

 

Spouse Program

Spouses should confirm their participation in the Program by August 25. Spouses are required to meet their own expenses.

September 27

9:15 – Meeting at the lobby of Park Inn Hotel and departure

9:35 – Start of the tour, going up by Funikulyor to the Upland Park to observe the city and to the Martyr’s Lane

10:15 - Beginning of the tour around Icheri Sheher (Old City). Starting from Qosha Qala, and then moving to different remarkable places of sightseeing, visiting Shirvanshahs Palace, Maiden Tower, and Museum of Miniature books

12:30 – 13:45 – Lunch in Art Garden or Mugham club

14:00 -15:30 – The tour continues by the visit to the National Museum of Arts and then National Carpet Museum (or to the carpet weaving place)

Duration: 6 hours

Price: TBD

September 28

9:15 – Meeting at the lobby of Park Inn Hotel and departure.

Visit to Ateshgah and Qala

Duration: 4 hours

Price: TBD