is a part of the historic Shirvan. This area is located in the north of the country, at the southern foot of the Great Caucasus Mountains. The territory of the district as well as the whole territory of the North Azerbaijan was a part of Caucasian Albania in the VI century BC. On the left bank of the river Girdimanchay on top of the highest mountain are still the ruins of a medieval fortress, the construction of which is associated with the name of Javanshir – the ruler of Caucasian Albania (VII century). Haram tower, castle Gyrhotag, Juma mosque and wall Hireki of defensive purpose in Sulut are also of great interest. However, the most famous and important historical monument of this area is the Maiden Tower (VII-XII centuries) – a defensive structure located on the top of the steep mountain near the village Khanagah.
Ismayilli is rich in folk art traditions. People of Ismayilli belong to many different nations and ethnic groups. For example, the descendants of the Molokans who resettled here from Russia live in the famous in Azerbaijan village Ivanovka. The village Lahij, located at an altitude of 1,200 m above sea level, is the home for Tats, who, however, call themselves Lahij people. Known since the VII century, this small city, which is located in the mountains, up to this day is famous for its copper weapons and utensils. Basgal village is also widely known. In the middle Ages it was one of crafts and silk spinning centers. Ismayilli is also one of the wine-making centers in Azerbaijan.
The territory of the district like all the northern lands of Azerbaijan was part of the Albanian state in the 4th century B.C. Mehran Gyrdyman from the dynasty of Sasanies even created his own kingdom at the territory. Albanian rulers Varaz Grigor and his son Djavanshir (616-681) were also from the dynasty of mehranids. The Gyrdyman state was ruled by the most prominent ruler of Albania Djavanshir in 638-670. The ruins of the residence built by him on the Aghchay river 4 kilometers away from the Talystan village is still famous as the Javanshir tower.
The district covers an area of 2074 km2. It borders on Guba in the north, Shamakhi in the east, Aghsu in the south-east, Kurdemir in the south, Goychay in the south-west and Gabala in the west.
The district includes 1 city, 2 settlements and 106 villages. The landscape of the district is mainly composed of mountains. The height of the lands hesitates between 200 meters up to 3629 meters (Babadagh) above sea level. The district has a rich nature. The forests are composed of oak, hornbeam, beech-tree, alder-tree, birch-tree, poplar, pear, spoke and other trees. Such representatives of animal kingdom as elk, mountain goat, chamois, deer, roe deer, bear, boar, lynx, fox, wolf, squirrel, coon, pheasant, partridge, eagle, falcon, tetra and others are found in these forests.
A number of settlements of the district especially Lahic and Basgal settlements, Ivanovka, Galadjyg, Talystan and Diyarly villages are notable for their ancient history and special beauty. Lahic and Basgal were declared the reserves of history and culture. The district accounts for a number of ancient historical monuments.
LAHIJ
The Alpine settlement Lahij located in Ismayilli region of Azerbaijan is an original monument of antique urban and architectural art. This medieval town with cobbled streets and squares is one of the most famous craft and trading centers in the Caucasus and beyond. It is believed that the legendary Manomakh’s cap, worn by Russian tsars for many centuries, was made here. Lahij became especially famous for manufacturing knives and copper utensils, decorated with engraved designs. Even today a dozen workshops operate here, demonstrating hereditary blacksmiths who make various household items in front of the astonished tourists. The very first residential block in Lahij was founded in III-IV centuries. It is astonishing that the water supply and sewage system, operating in the city, is about one and half thousand years old! The two km long tri-level sewer is paved under the main street, to a depth of 1 m. The upper two levels of the pipes are for the drinking water and water for industrial purposes. The lower part of the sewer is a rectangular trough lined with river stone. It is designed for wastes that come through the holes provided in the yard of every home. None of the residents know where the drainage begins and where it ends, and the principle of how it works, yet the collector has been functioning for many centuries. Now Lahij is a historical and architectural memorial protected by the state and the appearance of the settlement is preserved in its original form.
The village is, at best, around 2,000 people. They speak their own language, although Azeri and Russian can still be heard (with the occasional foreign language). The one thing you’re unlikely to hear is the wind and grind of city life. Instead it’s the gentle tapping sound that spills from workshops along its roughly cobbled streets that fills the ears. Here in Lahic, centuries of isolation have honed the skills of the copper smiths which line the narrow streets. The soaring peaks that surround this village make farming nearly impossible, so local people turned very long ago to crafts. Copper smithing is only the most famous. Almost everyone who lives here can turn shapeless things into objects of quiet and even mystic beauty. Carpet weaving, wood carving and a variety of other such handy crafts await the weary traveler.
Lahij is particularly famous for its coppersmiths, whose workshops overflow into narrow, stone-paved Huseynov kuc. On the upper floors of the workshops you can sometimes still find carpet makers at work. As years go by the workshops are increasingly transforming themselves into tourist boutiques but they remain rustic, welcoming places, where craftsmen are happy to be watched and photographed engraving intricate patterns. High global copper prices and growing tourist savvy mean that copperware is not as inexpensive as it used to be, but there are still some relative bargains to be had if you shop around.
Local Coppersmiths are renowned for producing high quality products and they can be viewed at work in many of the small workshops along the main road. Whereas Khinalig had the jaw dropping scenery, Lahij will be remembered for its wonderful stone houses and narrow cobbled streets. If you put Lahij’s houses in Khinalig’s location, you would probably have the most beautiful place on Earth.
Horses are still being ridden through the streets, whilst cows meander down other thoroughfares. At times there is certainly the feeling of stepping back in time.
The quaint little one-room Lahij History Museum is housed in a former mosque next door to the tourist office. It displays a typical selection of traditional cooking and farming instruments, ancient weapons and pottery, plus painted portraits of local artists and writers, a disproportionate number for such a tiny place. The village school is also open to the curious during the summer, and it’s better appointed than most others you’re likely to see in Azerbaijan.
