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Sheki is one of the most famous and ancient places of Azerbaijan. Situated 700 m (2297 ft.) above sea level like an amphitheatre surrounded by the mountains and forests of oak trees, this ancient city was long famed as a silk centre and an important stop on the Great Silk Route

Gate to Sheki

Djuma Mosque (18th century)The mosque, its minaret and the ancient cemetery today are protected by the state as important historical monuments

One of the peculiarities of Sheki is its red ceramic roof

tops. Historically all

the roof tops of the houses in Sheki were done in red

ceramic. Ceramics-

makers have always been working in Sheki and

continue doing so today

«Omer Efendi» mosque (XIX))

One of the most ancient settlements and cultural centres of Azerbaijan, Sheki was founded more than 2700 years ago at the southern slopes of the Major Caucasus Mountains Chain

The Church of Kish in the vicinity of Sheki are thought to be approximately 1,500 years old

Street in Sheki

Street in Sheki

the lower caravanserai

During its millennial historical the town used to be devastated many times, so the most part of the historic and architectural monuments currently preserved are dated to the 16th-19th centuries

Construction of caravanserai is dated back to the 18th-19th centuries AD

Swift development of trade in the Middle Ages enhanced importance of caravanserai existing in the territory of Azerbaijan at that time and favored construction of new ones. Generally caravanserai were built in form of castles with one gate, closing of which made them impregnable during dangerous incidents. Since 1988, the lower caravanserai is used as a hotel complex

Entrance to caravanserai

the lower caravanserai

the lower caravanserai

the lower caravanserai

the lower caravanserai

 In the 18th - 19th centuries 5 big

caravanserais were active in Sheki. Only two

of them have survived

Dancers in Sheki

Street in Sheki

6th-century Caucasian Albanian church is now Museum of National Applied Art in Sheki

6th-century Caucasian Albanian church is now Museum of National Applied Art in Sheki

6th-century Caucasian Albanian church is now Museum of National Applied Art in Sheki

Shaki is also known for its fine needlework. As early as 200 years ago, shoes, pillowcases, and other decorated items

were sold in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and even

Western Europe.

During a visit to Shaki, French novelist

Alexandre Dumas was fascinated by the

decorative needlework. He wrote, "The charm of this needlework is in the way it is carried out: a

dark, monotone background (usually

velvet or broadcloth), a special awl and colorful

silken threads. The masters demonstrated

extraordinary skills imprinting designs on the

fabric."

Craftsmen house

Samovar exhibition in Sheki history museum

The Sheki Castle which was built by the founder of the Sheki Khanate Haji Chelebi Khan (1743–1755)

Text: Internet

Pictures: Sanda Foişoreanu & Internet

Copyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu

www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Aziza Mustafa Zadeh - Shamans