Shamakhi

Shemakha - is the more classic international way of spelling (originated from Russian pronunciation). Shamakhi is the formal Azeri internal spelling.

Shamakhi can easily be explored on foot.

• 🌍 Juma Mosque (Cümə Məscidi). This mosque, built in 743 by Abu Muslim, is considered the oldest one in the Caucasus after the Friday mosque of Derbent (constructed in 734). It was built during the governance period of Caliphate's vicar in the Caucasus and Dagestan. The mosque underwent numerous damages due to plundering, earthquakes and wars. It was repeatedly repaired, especially after the earthquakes of 1859 and 1887. Strongly damaged as a result of the devastating earthquake of 1902, after which it was rebuilt and reconstructed in 1905-1910, by the architect Iosif Ploshko. The white-stone iron-concrete structure with iron domes also suffered as a result of a fire during the March 1918 events. In the Soviet years it was not used for its intended purpose and was repaired only in 1980. It was last reconstructed in 2009. The mosque was returned to its original appearance with the preservation of the old structure (side and rear walls, columns of the façade, etc.). In the courtyard of the mosque you can see old photographs of the mosque. No admission. 

• 🌍 Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum (Qəbirstanlıq). A cemetery and a group of mausoleums, burial vaults of the Shirvan khans of the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors can get inside only three of the four surviving mausoleums. The fourth one is in a dilapidated state. The tombstones inside the mausoleums are decorated more richly than the ones outside. Also, in the cemetery there is the grave of the Azerbaijani poet-satirist Mirza Alakbar Sabir of the XIX century. 

• Shahandan Mausoleum (also in the south-west of the city). The most ancient cemetery of the city, where supposedly there is a grave of the poet of XV century Shahandan, brother of poet Imadaddin Nasimi. A mausoleum was erected on this grave in the 17th century, which has survived to this day. You can get inside. Also in the cemetery there is the grave of the Azerbaijani poet-satirist of the 19th century Seyid Azim Shirvani. 
• 🌍 Nasimi Memorial Park (Nəsimi Parkı). For poet Imadaddin Nasimi of the 14th century. 
• 🌍 House-Museum of M. Sabir (Mirzə Ələkbər Sabirin ev muzeyi), Əliheydər Qarayev. 09:00-18:00. The house-museum of the Azerbaijani poet-satirist Mirza Alakbar Sabir, born in 1862 in Shamakhi. It was established in 1998 on the site of the house where he was born and contains 7 exposition rooms. There are about 600 exhibits stored relating to the poet and the era in which he lived and worked. 
• 🌍 Heydar Aliyev Park and Museum, Heydar Aliyev Ave. Complex includes the Museum of Heydar Aliyev, his Monument and a cozy Amphitheatre. (updated Sep 2016)

• 🌍 Gulistan Fortress (Gülüstan qalası) (Hike N from Shavalan Motel over the hill. To get to the site of excavations and, accordingly, to see the remains of the towers and the camp of the fortress, you will need to climb to the top of the mountain (the road will take about 30-40 minutes). The easiest way to prompt local residents, it is advisable even to ask someone for a small fee to fellow travelers (many young guys there have often been and will gladly help).). The ruins of this historic sight are a short hike out of Shamakhi. Built in the 8th-9th centuries, and rebuilt in the 12th-13th centuries. At the site of the excavation lies a lot of fragments of various medieval ceramics (sometimes with traces of medieval paint), which you can take with you as a souvenir. Since July 2011, a second archaeological excavation is under way at Gulistan. 
  • Note: The mountain on which the fortress is located is quite steep, so you need to be extremely careful when climbing and descending. Do not forget about the potential snakes in spring and summer weather. So, the main thing to wear good shoes (against thorns in June and potential snakes).

• 🌍 Shamakhyi Bazar (Şamaxı Bazarı). 08:00-18:00. Traditional produce market. (updated Sep 2017)

• 🌍 Azər şadlıq sarayı, ☏ +994 55 8406640. Commonly, a wedding venue, but also delicious for regular occasion. Delicious pastry. (updated Sep 2017)
• 🌍 Dostlug Restaurant, Shahriyar St. 09:00-23:00. Highly recommended. (updated Sep 2017)

• Samakhi Palace Sharadil Hotel, Sharadil Village (about 12 km west of Shamakhi), ☏ +994 12 499 89 98. Resort with spa and wellness center, hamam, sauna, indoor/outdoor pools, restaurant, and other stuff like horseback riding nearby. 
• 🌍 Shirvan Hotel & Spa, 14 Shahriyar street, ☏ +994 50 229 29 55, info@shirvanhotel.az. High-level and well designed 4 star hotel in the city with spa, Turkish baths and a sauna. (updated Sep 2016)

• Baku – Buses heading for Baku will call here for a few moments, if there are free seats, they can be purchased for 4 manat. Otherwise many private taxis surround the station offering faster transport, usually a seat can be purchased for 5 manat if you negotiate.
• Sheki – A beautiful city in the west and in the Caucasus mountains with lots to see and do. It has one of the largest densities of cultural resources and monuments that span 2,700 years of Azerbaijani history.
• Lahich – A cozy and remote highland village nearby in the west. Famous for its copper work. Can be hard to reach by bus, but you might be able to find a cheap taxi for the 40-50 km. Otherwise take a bus along M4 west, and hitch-hike the rest.
• Ganja – Azerbaijan's second largest city has a long history, some important sites and an interesting and manifold architecture. There is probably no direct bus, but from Agsu, 30 km south west, there should be.