The city of Nakhichevan is the capital of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic within Azerbaijan. The city arose in the 6th century. BC, and in the 11th century. turned into the capital of the Seljuk state. Today Nakhichevan and its surroundings are rightfully proud not only of their ancient history, but also the richest underground resources mineral water.
Attractions
The main attractions of Nakhichevan are considered monuments of medieval architecture: the mausoleums of Yusuf ibn Kuseyir (XI century) and Momine Khatun (XII century), the Gyaur-Kala fortress (Shakhtakhty, 2nd millennium BC), as well as the unique Khudaferin bridges across the Araks .
Not far from Nakhichevan there is the Alinja-Kala mausoleum (XI-XIII centuries), popularly known as “Atababa”.
The main diamond in the crown of Nakhichevan monuments is the Gulistan Mausoleum. This is a stunningly beautiful building. The mausoleum is made of red sandstone in the form of a dodecahedron, where each face has its own unique oriental pattern. The harmony of architecture is intertwined with the harmony of nature - the mausoleum is located in picturesque place at the foot of the mountains, in the valley of the Araks River.
In the southeast of Nakhichevan, near the border with Iran, lies the city of Julfa. Not far from it, on the bare peak of a mountain rising in the middle of a wide plain, is the ancient fortress of Alinja-Kala (XI-XIII centuries), located on the right bank of the Alinja River.
West of Julfa, right on the banks of the Araks, a caravanserai was found - one of the largest caravanserais in Azerbaijan. The remains of this caravanserai were discovered in 1974. Subsequently, entire structures were excavated.
Near the Kavaran Sarai, the remains of a bridge built by the Nakhichevan ruler Hakim Zia ad-Din were discovered. early XIV century.
The university is located in Nakhichevan, science Center Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, there are theaters, literary and history museums, Art Gallery.
Healing waters
The resort attractiveness of the city of Nakhichevan is also determined by the presence of several mineral springs, which provide almost all varieties of carbonic-carbonate, carbonic-chloride, and hydrogen sulfate-sulfate waters. In terms of the variety of mineral springs, the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic is literally a geochemical museum.
Five groups of springs - Darrydag, Sirab, Nagadzhir, Badamli and Gyzylvang are extremely valuable hydromineral resources for balneological drinking resorts.
Darrydag sources are the highest yielding arsenic sources mineral springs. The valuable medicinal qualities of this water are due to the fact that, along with a sufficient amount of arsenic, it contains boric acid, lithium, a large number of carbon dioxide, iodine, bromine, iron and other components.
Sirab springs are an analogue of Borjomi. Sirabian waters have great importance as a hydromineral base.
Nagadzhir springs are of the same type as Essentuki No. 17
Badamly springs belong to the category of Narzan type waters. They have a complex hydrocarbonate composition, contain a large amount of carbon dioxide, have a favorable temperature and high flow rate.
Gyzylvan bitter-salt and mineral water, generally rarely found in nature, is a laxative water (sulfate-chloride-calcium-sodium-magnesium).
Nakhchivan is considered a traditional tourism center. A trip there is included in the programs of most travel agencies in Azerbaijan.
How to get there
Citizens of Russia and some CIS countries do not require a visa to stay in Azerbaijan for up to 90 days. At the border it is enough to present your passport.
You can only get to Nakhichevan from Russia by plane (flights from Moscow three times a week). From the rest of Azerbaijan - by plane or by land transport through Iran (visa required).
The Azerbaijan-Armenia border is closed along its entire length.
Nakhijevan -Primordial Armenian land, under occupation of the Transcaucasian Tatars (1923-Azerbaijan)
Flag of Nakhijevan
Administrative divisions of Nakhijevan
Nakhijevan-Hands off Nakhijevan
History of Nakhijevan
Nakhichevan is Noah's first stop, after global flood. A number of languages have their own interpretation of the word. “Nakhichevan” - Armenian. → “Nah” - primary, “idjevan” - landing; Jewish historian Josephus Flavius (1st century) reports ethnic composition region, using the toponym “Apobaterion”, which is a grammatical literal translation of the Armenian “Nakhijevan”, and means “landing place”: “Seven days later, Noah released a dove for the same purpose... Having then made a sacrifice to the Lord God, he, together with his relatives, arranged a sacrificial feast . The Armenians call this place “the landing place,” and to this day the natives still show there the remains preserved from the ark.” The scientist and monk Mesrop Mashtots, from the end of the 4th century, carried out active preaching work in the Gavars of Goltn and Erndzhak near Nakhichevan, after which he faced the need translation of the Bible into Armenian language, for understanding local population.Ancient monuments material culture tribes that inhabited in ancient times the territory of modern
Brief chronicle
Nakhichevan dates back to the Neolithic era (9500 BC).
Hayastan
Ayasa
Arrata
Torgom(2570-2507)
Hayasa (2492 - 331 BC)
History of Nakhichevan (Nakhichevan) - The Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary notes that according to legend, the city of Nakhichevan was founded by Noah, and the founding date of the city according to Persian and Armenian sources is 1539 BC. e. - Noah's first stop after the flood. A number of languages have their own interpretation of the word. “Nakhichevan” - Armenian. → "Nah" Modern science also dates the founding of the city to 1500 BC. BC - primary, “Ijevan”-landing; The Jewish historian Josephus Flavius (1st century) reports on the ethnic composition of the region, using the toponym “Apobaterion”, which is a grammatical literal translation of the Armenian “Nakhijevan”, and means “place of landing”: “In seven days Noah released a dove for the same purpose... After making a sacrifice to the Lord God, he and his relatives arranged a sacrificial feast. The Armenians call this place “the landing place,” and to this day the natives still show there the remains preserved from the ark.” The scientist and monk Mesrop Mashtots, from the end of the 4th century, carried out active preaching work in the Gavars of Goltn and Erndzhak near Nakhichevan, after which he faced the need for translation Bibles in Armenian, for understanding by the local population. The most ancient monuments of the material culture of the tribes that inhabited the territory of modern times in ancient times
Armenian, Hittite, Assyro-Babylonian, Persian and Greek sources testify to the rule of seven major Pan-Armenian royal dynasties in Armenia:
590 BC e. - as part of Ararat (in Assyrian Urartu)
In the 2nd century AD e. Nakhichevan was already known to Ptolemy under the name Ναξουὰνα.
Tigran II -140 BC e. - 55 BC e.
Capitals Artashat, from ca. 200 Vagharshapat, from 338 Dvin
Movses Khorenatsi (5th or 9th centuries AD), describing the actions of the legendary Armenian king Tigran I Ervandid (Tigran I the Ancient), talks about the Nakhijevan fortress (Armenian: Նախիջևան).
The medieval Turkish traveler of the 17th century, Evliya Celebi, attributed the founding of Nakhichevan (Nakhshevan or Nakshicihan) to the legendary king of Turan according to Iranian mythology, Afrasiyab. The 14th-century Iranian historian and geographer Hamdallah Qazvini, in his book “Nuzhat Al-qulub” (“Delight of Hearts”), considered the Sassanian Iranian commander, later Shahinshah of Iran, Bahram Chubin, who lived at the end of the 6th century, to be the founder of the city of Nakhichevan (Naqsh i-jahan). n. e.
As part of Great Armenia
From the beginning of the 2nd century BC. e. to 428 AD e. part of Greater Armenia. Nakhchavan was located in the center of lands inhabited by Armenians, which stretched, as the Iranika encyclopedia notes, from the Kura to the upper reaches of the Euphrates and Tigran. As part of Armenia, the region belonged to the nahangs (provinces) of Vaspurakan and Syunik, and the lands along the Araks, that is, the gavars (districts) of Nakhchavan (later also Nakhijevan) and “abundant with wine” Goghtan (in ancient Armenian pronunciation Goltn, the region of Ordubad) were part of Vaspurakan, whereas more northern lands belonged to the Gavars of Chakhuk (now Shahbuz district) and Yernjak (Julfa district) of the nakhanga of Syunik. This region was ruled by the hereditary masters of the Armenian kings, who bore the title of “Mardpets”, and their clan was called “Mardpetakan”.. At the end of the 4th century. In Goltna and Yernjak the scientist and monk Mesrop Mashtots preached, and it was there that he came to the idea of the need to translate the Bible into Armenian for understanding by the local population. The monastery on the site where Mashtots preached (built in 456) remained until recently in the village, which was called Mesropavan in honor of Mashtots.
In the VI-IV centuries. BC e. the city is part of the Persian satrapy “Armenia”.
Dominion of the Persians and Arabs
Since 428, the region has been part of the Armenian marzpanate (governorship) of Persia.
In the V-VII centuries. the capital of Persian (so-called Marzpan) Armenia, later part of the province of Armenia of the Arab Caliphate.
590 BC e. - as part of Media, from the 6th century BC. e. - as part of the Achaemenid state, within the borders of the satrapy “Armenia”, as part of Greater Armenia. From the beginning of the 2nd century BC. e. to 428 AD e. part of Greater Armenia. Nakhchavan was located in the center of lands inhabited by Armenians, which stretched, as the Iranika encyclopedia notes, from the Kura to the upper reaches of the Euphrates and Tigran. As part of Armenia, the region belonged to the nahangs (provinces) of Vaspurakan and Syunik, and the lands along the Araks, that is, the gavars (districts) of Nakhchavan (later also Nakhijevan) and “abundant with wine” Gokhtan (in ancient Armenian pronunciation Goltn, Ordubad region) were part of Vaspurakan , while the more northern lands belonged to the Gavars of Chakhuk (now Shakhbuz district) and Yernjak (Julfa region) of the Syunik nakhang. This region was ruled by hereditary chamberlains of the Armenian kings, who bore the title of “Mardpets”, and their clan was called “Mardpetakan”.. At the end of the 4th century. In Goltna and Yernjak, the scientist and monk Mesrop Mashtots preached, and it was there that he came to the idea of the need to translate the Bible into Armenian for understanding by the local population. The monastery on the site where Mashtots preached (built in 456) remained until recently in the village, which was named Mesropavan in honor of Mashtots.
In 623 it temporarily went to Byzantium, in
conquered by the Arabs in the middle of the 7th century.
In 705, the Arabs burned alive in the churches of Nakhichevan and the neighboring village of Kharm representatives of the Armenian nobility, whom they allegedly invited to conclude a treaty (800 people)
In the 8th century, the population of this area was associated with the Babek movement, although big role didn't play in it.
In 705, the Arabs burned alive in the churches of Nakhichevan and the neighboring village of Kharm representatives of the Armenian nobility, whom they allegedly invited to conclude a treaty (800 people).
Ani kingdom of the Bagratids
At the end of the 9th century, Nakhichevan was conquered from the Arabs by the second king of the Ani kingdom - Smbat I Bagratuni, who in 891/92 gave it as conditional ownership to the prince of Syunik. In 902 the prince of Syunik took possession. In 902
Dominion of the Persians and Arabs
Since 428, the region has been part of the Armenian marzpanate (governorship) of Persia. In 623 it temporarily went to Byzantium and was conquered by the Arabs in the middle of the 7th century. In 705, the Arabs burned alive in the churches of Nakhichevan and the neighboring village of Kharm representatives of the Armenian nobility, whom they allegedly invited to conclude a treaty (800 people). In the 8th century, the population of this area was associated with Babek’s movement, although they did not play a big role in it.
Ani kingdom of the Bagratids
At the end of the 9th century, Nakhichevan was conquered from the Arabs by the second king of the Ani kingdom, Smbat I Bagratuni, who in 891/92 gave it as conditional ownership to the prince of Syunik. In 902, Smbat handed it over to the ruler of Vaspurakan, Ashot Artsruni, and after the latter’s death in 904, again to the ruler of Syunik, Smbat. After this, Nakhichevan remained part of Syunik, which over time acquired virtual independence from Ani. In the Nakhichevan region, the Orbelyan and Proshyan families ruled, which, as can be seen from the chronicle of Stepanos Orbelyan (13th century), retained their importance even after the Turkic conquest. According to the testimony of the papal ambassador Rubruk, on the eve Mongol invasion in Nakhchivan there were 800 Armenian churches.
Smbat handed it over to the ruler of Vaspurakan, Ashot Artsruni, and after the latter’s death in 904, again to the ruler of Syunik, Smbat. After this, Nakhichevan remained part of Syunik, which over time acquired virtual independence from Ani. The region of Nakhichevan was dominated by the Orbelyan and Proshyan families, which, as can be seen from the chronicle of Stepanos Orbelyan (13th century), retained their importance even after the Turkic conquest. According to the testimony of the papal ambassador Rubruk, on the eve of the Mongol invasion there were 800 Armenian churches in Nakhichevan.
In 902, Smbat handed it over to the ruler of Vaspurakan, Ashot Artsruni, and after the latter’s death in 904, again to the ruler of Syunik, Smbat. In the second half of the 9th century and especially during the reign of Gagik I, Nakhichevan, like the rest southern regions Armenia was not attacked.
After this, Nakhchavan, or Nakhijevan, as it also began to be called, remained part of Syunik, which over time acquired virtual independence from Ani.
Seljuks, Mongols, Timur
Seljuks, Mongols, Timur In 1064 Nakhichevan was conquered by the Seljuk Sultan Alp Arslan; in the 12th century here was the center of the state.
Zakaryan Dynasty (Yerkarabazuk, Mkhargrdzeli) (1196 - 1261)
In 1064 Nakhichevan was conquered by the Seljuk Sultan Alp Arslan; in the 12th century here was the center of the Ildegizid state. In the XIII-XIV centuries. Nakhchivan was subject to invasions Mongol conquerors and Timur. Robruk, who visited Nakhichevan after the Mongol invasion, writes that the city “was formerly the capital of a certain great kingdom and the greatest and most beautiful city; but the Tatars turned it almost into a desert. Previously there were eight hundred Armenian churches in it, but now there are only two small ones, and the rest were destroyed by the Saracens.” Armenian population Turks. Already in the Seljuk era, a centuries-long process of pushing aside the Armenian population by the newcomer Turkic began in the region, especially intensifying after the invasions of Timur. In 1603, all Nakhichevan Armenians, as well as Muslims, were taken by Shah Abbas I to Persia. At the same time, XVI-XVII centuries, Transcaucasia was not only spontaneously, but also deliberately settled by Turkmen nomadic tribes, whom local rulers considered as their support
The Nakhichevan region was dominated by the Orbelyan and Proshyan families, which, as can be seen from the chronicle of Stepanos Orbelyan (XIII century), retained their importance even after the Turkic conquest. They were ruined by the Mongols (XIII century), Tamerlane (end of the XIV century).
Ildegizidov.
In the XIII-XIV centuries. Nakhichevan was subject to invasions by the Mongol conquerors and Timur. Robruk, who visited Nakhichevan after the Mongol invasion, writes that the city “was formerly the capital of a certain great kingdom and the greatest and most beautiful city; but the Tatars turned it almost into a desert. Previously there were eight hundred Armenian churches in it, but now there are only two small ones, and the rest were destroyed by the Saracens.”
The papal ambassador Rubruk, who visited Nakhichevan shortly after its defeat by the Mongols, found on the site of this once “greatest and most beautiful city""almost a desert": "Before there were eight hundred Armenian churches in it, but now there are only two small ones, and the rest were destroyed by the Saracens."
In the 17th century it became part of the Safavid state.
Pushing aside the Armenian population by the Turks Already in the Seljuk era, a centuries-long process of pushing aside the Armenian population by the newcomer Turks began in the region, especially intensified after the invasions of Timur. In 1603, all Nakhichevan Armenians, as well as Muslims, were taken by Shah Abbas I to Persia.
In November 1603, Shah Abbas I with his 120 thousand army captured Nakhichevan, which practically did not resist, from the Turks, this is evidenced by Georg Tektander, who visited the Austrian embassy, noting that “All the cities and villages, then, wherever we went, submitted to the Persians voluntarily, without any opposition, like n. the towns of Marand in Media, Nakhichevan, Julfa in Armenia and many others, which I myself witnessed." After occupying the city, the Shah evicted its entire population deep into Persia, according to the Armenian author Arakel Davrizhetsi, "turning the prosperous [desert] into an uninhabited and fertile Armenia."The Turkish traveler Evliya Celebi, who visited the Nakhichevan region in 1648, described the region as blooming land. Celebi wrote about Nakhichevan that “the city is decorated with 10,000 large houses covered with clay; there are 70 cathedral mosques and places of worship, 40 neighborhood mosques, 20 houses for visitors, 7 beautiful baths, about 1000 shops.”
At the same time, in the 16th-17th centuries, Turkmen nomadic tribes settled not only spontaneously, but also deliberately, in Transcaucasia, whom local rulers considered as their support.
The era of the Persian-Turkish wars
In the 15th century Nakhichevan was part of the Kara-Koyunlu and Ak-Koyunlu states in the 16th century. disputed by Turkey and the Safavid power. In the fall of 1603, Shah Abbas I during the war with Ottoman Empire occupied the Nakhchivan region. The Turkish garrison of the city of Nakhichevan capitulated to the Safavid troops and left Nakhichevan along with the Sunni residents, while the “warriors of the city” (local Muslims), according to Arakel Davrizhetsi, hastened to declare their adherence to Shiism: they “quickly took off their Ottoman clothes, they cut their long beards, put on Qizilbash clothes and began to look like the Qizilbash of old.” However, in the summer of 1604, Ottoman troops launched a counter-offensive that caught Shah Abbas by surprise. Not hoping to hold on to the region, Shah Abbas decided to implement a “scorched earth” tactic and withdrew the entire population of Nakhichevan and Erivan (both Armenian and Muslim) deep into Persia, according to Arakel, “turning prosperous and fertile Armenia into an uninhabited.” In total, according to Armenian authors, 400 thousand Armenians were driven away to Persia from Nakhichevan and Yerevan. In particular, it lost its population Big City, populated predominantly by Armenians and former center Armenian trade (primarily silk) in the region - Jugha (Julfa), the inhabitants of which, when occupied by the Persians, solemnly came out to meet Shah Abbas, led by priests. Its population of about 20,000 people was resettled to Isfahan, where they formed an Armenian suburb that still exists today - New Julfa. At the same time, many Armenian artisans and the poor died during the resettlement, and rich merchants turned into clerks of the Shah. Modern researcher E. Rodionova identifies several reasons for the eviction of Armenians to Persia (referred to as the “Great Surgun”):
a) military-strategic: weaken the enemy, leave “scorched earth”;
b) political: strengthening central government, weakening of the separatist regions);
c) economic (the intention to establish an Armenian colony in the center of their power and move the center of the caravan
their Julfa routes to Iran) and the desire to use the labor of skilled Armenian artisans for construction work in Isfahan Among those resettled was the Turkic tribe Kengerli, which was allowed to return to Nakhichevan under the descendant of Shah Abbas I, Shah Abbas II. During the conquest of the Nakhichevan region, Shah Abbas I massacred the Sunni population. According to the Iranian-British historian Aptin Khanbagi, during the Turkish-Persian wars, the Armenians were luckier than the Muslims, since the Turks killed Shiites, and the Persians killed Sunnis. As part of Persia. Nakhichevan Khanate. The Turkish traveler Evliya Celebi, who visited the Nakhichevan region in 1648, described it as a flourishing land and called Nakhichevan “the pride among the cities of the Iranian land.” According to him, in the comfortable city of Karabaglar, which formed a separate sultanate in the Nakhichevan land, he was treated to 26 varieties of pears. Describing the city of Nakhichevan, Celebi noted that “the city is decorated with 10,000 large houses covered with clay; there are 70 cathedral mosques and places of worship, 40 neighborhood mosques, 20 houses for visitors, 7 beautiful baths, about 1000 shops.” mid-18th century V. after death
The era of the Persian-Turkish wars.
In the 15th century Nakhichevan was part of the Kara-Koyunlu and Ak-Koyunlu states in the 16th century. disputed by Turkey and the Safavid power.
Safavids.
In the fall of 1603, Shah Abbas I occupied the Nakhichevan region during the war with the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish garrison of the city of Nakhichevan capitulated to the Safavid troops and left Nakhichevan along with the Sunni inhabitants, while the “warriors of the city” (from local Muslims), according to Arakel Davrizhetsi, hastened to declare their adherence to Shiism: they “quickly took off their Ottoman clothes and cut their long beards their own, dressed in Qizilbash clothes and became like the Qizilbash of old.” However, in the summer of 1604, Ottoman troops launched a counter-offensive, which took Shah Abbas by surprise. Not hoping to hold on to the region, Shah Abbas decided to implement a “scorched earth” tactic and withdrew the entire population of Nakhichevan and Erivan (Karmenian and Muslim) deep into Persia, according to Arakel, “turning prosperous and fertile Armenia into an uninhabited [desert]. In total, according to Armenian authors, 400 thousand Armenians were driven from Nakhichevan and Yerevan to Persia. In particular, a large city inhabited predominantly by Armenians and formerly the center of Armenian trade (primarily silk) in the region, Jugha (Julfa), lost its population, the inhabitants of which, when occupied by the Persians, solemnly came out to greet Shah Abbas led by his fellow priests. Its population of about 20,000 people was resettled to Isfahan, where they formed an Armenian suburb that still exists today - New Julfa. At the same time, many Armenian artisans and the poor died during the resettlement, and rich merchants turned into clerks of the Shah. Modern researcher E. Rodionova identifies several reasons for the eviction of Armenians to Persia (referred to as the “Great Surgun”): a) military-strategic: weaken the enemy, leave a “scorched earth”; b) political: strengthening the central government, weakening the separatist regions); c) economic (the intention to establish an Armenian colony in the center of their power and transfer the center of the caravan routes of their Julfa to Iran) and the desire to use the labor of skilled Armenian artisans for construction work in Isfahan. Among those resettled was the Turkic tribe of Kengerli, which was allowed to return to Nakhichevan under the descendant of Shah Abbas I, the Shah Abbas II. During the conquest of the Nakhichevan region, Shah Abbas I carried out a massacre of the Sunni population. According to the Iranian-British historian Aptin Khanbagi, during the Turkish-Persian wars, the Armenians were luckier than the Muslims, since the Turks killed Shiites and the Persians killed Sunnis.
Nadir Shah Heydar Quli Khan from the Kengerli clan created the Nakhichevan Khanate.
As part of Persia. Nakhchivan Khanate.
The Turkish traveler Evliya Celebi, who visited the Nakhichevan region in 1648, described it as a flourishing region and called Nakhichevan “the pride among the cities of the Iranian land.” According to him, in the comfortable city of Karabaglar, which formed a separate sultanate in the Nakhichevan land, he was treated to 26 varieties of pears. Describing the city of Nakhichevan, Celebi noted that “the city is decorated with 10,000 large houses covered with clay; there are 70 cathedral mosques and places of worship, 40 neighborhood mosques, 20 houses for visitors, 7 beautiful baths, about 1000 shops.” In the middle of the 18th century. After the death of Nadir Shah, Heydar Quli Khan from the Kengerli clan created the Nakhichevan Khanate.
IN late XVIII — early XIX centuries the capital of the independent Nakhichevan Khanate. On June 26, 1827, it was occupied by the Russian troops of General Paskevich without a fight.
According to Article III of the Turkmanchay Peace Treaty, signed on February 10, 1828.
Together with the entire Khanate, it was ceded by the Shah “to the full ownership” of the Russian Empire. At the same time it became part of the Armenian region.
As part of Russia
At the beginning of the 19th century, the region became the scene of the Russian-Persian wars. According to the Treaty of Gulistan, Russia abandoned attempts to capture Nakhichevan, recognizing the Khanate “in complete power” of Persia, however, during the new Russian-Persian war, Nakhichevan was occupied by the troops of General Paskevich, who were met by the population with complete submission, and according to Article III of the Turkmanchay Treaty signed in 1828 , The Nakhichevan and Erivan khanates were transferred by the Shah “to the absolute ownership” of Russia. Kelbali Khan of Nakhichevan was blinded at one time by Agha-Mohammed Khan Qajar, which caused natural hatred towards the Qajar dynasty in the family; V
As a result, his son, the ruler of the Khanate Ehsan Khan Kengerli, together with his brother Shikh-Ali Bek, voluntarily went over to the side of Russia, rendering important help in the war with Persia, for which he was awarded the rank of major general in the Russian service and marching ataman of the Kengerli army.; he was appointed naib (police captain, head of the civil unit) of the Nakhichevan district, while his brother was appointed of the Ordubad district. According to the rescript of Nicholas I of March 20, 1828, immediately after the conclusion of the Turkmanchay Treaty, the Armenian region was formed from the Nakhichevan and Erivan khanates annexed to Russia, from which in 1849, with the annexation
The Erivan province was formed in the Alexandropol district. By the time the Nakhichevan Khanate annexed to Russia, this province had a predominantly Turkic population. According to the terms of the Turkmanchay Peace, Russian government a massive
resettlement of Armenians from Persia to the Armenian region. This caused discontent among the Muslim population, who were deprived of their lands, which were given to settlers. To reduce tension in the region, Russian ambassador in Persia A. S. Griboyedov recommended to the commander-in-chief Russian army in the Caucasus, Count Paskevich to give the order to move part of the Armenians who moved from Persia to Nakhichevan to Daralagez. According to data from 1896, Armenians lived in the Nakhichevan district of the Erivan province - 56.95%, “Aderbeijan Tatars” (that is, Azerbaijanis) - 42.21%, . There was 1 in the county Orthodox Church, 66 Armenian-Gregorian churches, 58 mosques. Pogrom of Armenians in Nakhichevan 1905-1906 Vandalism of Azerbaijanis 1905-1906
Since 1849, the center of the Nakhichevan district of the Erivan province.
At the time of the annexation of the Nakhichevan Khanate to Russia, this province had a predominantly Turkic population. According to the terms of the Turkmanchay Peace, the Russian government organized a massive resettlement of Armenians from Persia to the Armenian region. This caused discontent among the Muslim population, who were deprived of their lands, which were given to settlers. To reduce tensions in the region, the Russian Ambassador to Persia A. S. Griboedov recommended that the commander-in-chief of the Russian army in the Caucasus, Count Paskevich, issue an order to move part of the Armenians who had moved from Persia to Nakhichevan to Daralagez. According to data from 1896, Armenians lived in the Nakhichevan district of the Erivan province - 56.95 %, “Aderbeijan Tatars” (that is, Azerbaijanis) -42.21%,. In the district there was 1 Orthodox church, 66 Armenian-Gregorian churches, 58 mosques.
Life in Nakhichevan, an integral part of Azerbaijan, geographically completely separated from the main territory of the country, is very different from living conditions in the rest of the country. This region is more authoritarian and orderly than the main territory of Azerbaijan. The population of the autonomous republic lives in harsh conditions due to deprivation and emigration.
Nakhchivan is difficult to get to. It is separated from the rest of the country by the territory of Armenia and over the past 16 years it has been impossible to get there by land transport. From Baku you can only get to Nakhichevan by plane, but at Heydar Aliyev Airport there is always an impressive line of people wanting to buy tickets.
According to the last population census conducted in 1999, the population of the autonomous republic was 370 thousand people, but in fact many Nakhichevan residents live not in the autonomy, but in Baku or neighboring Turkey.
The streets of Nakhichevan, the capital of the autonomy, are already quite deserted by 9 pm, as in central park named after Heydar Aliyev. Nakhichevan student state university Ilgar Huseynov explained this in the following way: “Young people are afraid to go out to the park, especially in the evening. After 10 pm the police still close all teahouses. On the other side, executive branch The city has imposed an unofficial ban on girls and boys walking together. Girls are also prohibited from wearing miniskirts."
In terms of cleanliness, Nakhichevan is not inferior to the tidiest cities in Europe. It is impossible to find a single cigarette butt on the streets and in parks. This cleanliness is the result of the administrative involvement of residents in forced labor, known in Soviet time as "subbotnik".
“Employee labor is widely used when cleaning streets budgetary organizations and soldiers of the Nakhichevan garrison,” says Nakhichevan resident Gazanfar Agayev.
“Doctors, nurses, teachers whitewash walls, sweep streets, care for trees. And when someone refuses to work, they are afraid of sanctions, because the order was issued by Vasif Talibov himself,” Mukhtar Yusifov, a member of the Musavat opposition party, told IWPR.
Vasif Talybov is the chairman of the Nakhichevan parliament and, in fact, the ruler of the region.
“Talybov is the absolute ruler of all of Nakhichevan. It's as if the whole republic is his private property. It’s not for nothing that he was nicknamed “Nakhichevan Khan,” says a doctor named Vahid.
According to him, the “khan” sometimes issues surprising orders. For example, in Nakhichevan it is prohibited to hang laundry on balconies and drive old cars into the city. This is due to concern for appearance cities.
“The current harsh regime has made Nakhichevan look like Turkmenistan,” says the taxi driver, referring to the most repressive state in Central Asia.
However, pro-government politicians justify harsh methods of government. The chairman of the Ana Veten (Mother Motherland) party, Fazil Agamaly, told IWPR: “Vasif Talibov cannot be blamed for the harsh regime existing in the autonomous republic. The region exists as an exclave, cut off from the rest of the country and surrounded on three sides by Armenia. Without a firm hand, chaos and anarchy would begin in the region.”
Economics is the most big problem region. The impoverished residents of Nakhichevan pin their hopes for the development of the region on the influx of petrodollars into the country. However, life remains difficult for them.
A taxi driver took an IWPR correspondent to the city market. It turned out that prices there are much lower than in Baku. For example, a kilogram of meat in Baku costs 5 manats, but in Nakhichevan it costs only 3 manats. Fruits and vegetables are sometimes 2-3 times cheaper.
Still preserved in Nakhichevan high level labor migration. According to Agayev, the villages of Eydzhe and Gargun in the Sharur region are completely deserted. Residents of these villages, located near the border with Turkey, moved their entire families to live in the nearby Turkish city of Igdir.
According to the chairman of the Union of Democratic Reforms, Parvin Radjabov, only half of the number of residents indicated in the census results live in Nakhichevan.
"IN this moment due to unemployment, 150-170 thousand people remained in the autonomous republic. As a result of monitoring, we found out that in Turkish cities such as Istanbul and Igdir, about 50 thousand people live and work only from the Sharur district of Nakhichevan, taking into account the fact that according to official statistics The population of this area is about 120 thousand people.”
According to government press officer Adil Gahramanov, the level of emigration has begun to decline, and many residents of the autonomous republic are gradually returning back.
“New jobs are opening up and conditions are being created for the activities of small entrepreneurs, which is the main reason why the population returns to Nakhichevan,” he said and added that over the past two years, 4 large and 200 small enterprises have been commissioned in the republic.
A native of Nakhchivan, member of the Azerbaijani parliament, chairman of the “Great Creation” party, Fazil Gazanfaroglu still believes in the best.
“It is impossible not to note the relative improvements in social life autonomous republic,” he said. – It is impossible to deny the purity and beauty of the capital Nakhichevan. But, with regret, I must note that this beauty does not make the population any better.”
Isolation is the main factor hindering the development of Nakhichevan. Local authorities ready to contribute to the development health tourism and use sanatoriums popular in Soviet times for this purpose. However, as the doctor of the once famous Batabat sanatorium Suleyman Mamedov says, “our sanatoriums in Batabat, Badamly and Vananda have enough opportunities for the development of tourism, but these areas are located on the border with Armenia and people have stopped coming here not only from the CIS countries, but also from other countries.” regions of Azerbaijan itself, and there is nothing to say about the arrival of tourists from foreign countries.”
Political life in Nakhichevan is in a state of stagnation. Opposition and independent newspapers, which can be bought in other regions of Azerbaijan, are not sold in kiosks here, they are only passed from hand to hand. If one of these newspapers writes something negative about the leadership of the autonomous republic, the authorities obtain all copies that arrived in Nakhichevan and destroy them. A seller who still dares to sell a newspaper with incriminating evidence will receive 15 days of arrest.
“The existence of opposition forces is only formal, to divert attention international organizations. Opposition parties are not only not allowed to organize protests, but even publicly celebrate national holidays. They are forced to hold conferences with the participation of local police and intelligence officers,” says Elchin Gadimov, a member of the Musavat opposition party.
Some time ago, local resident Ilham Narimanoglu had to write explanatory note at the police headquarters only because a correspondent from an opposition newspaper was visiting him.
An IWPR correspondent experienced first-hand the suspicious attitude of the authorities towards independent journalists, having paid a fine of 2 manats for having a completely harmless voice recorder with him when leaving for Baku. No one ever explained to him the reason.
Sabuhi Mammadli, correspondent of the Yeni Musavat newspaper, Baku.
Nakhchivan from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Nakhichevan.
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Nakhchivan - ancient capital Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, which, by the will of historical fate, found itself cut off from the territory of “big” Azerbaijan. Due to this circumstance, as well as due to the rather strict rules for visiting the NAR, the city does not very often receive guests from abroad. Meanwhile, there is something to see in it. Firstly, it was here that the first president of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, was born. In addition, many monuments from the Middle Ages have been preserved in Nakhichevan, including mausoleums of local rulers, mosques, palaces and powerful fortresses. And, of course, anyone local will definitely tell you that it was in the vicinity of Nakhichevan that for the first time after the long weeks of the Flood I set foot on solid ground legendary Noah.
How to get to Nakhchivan
Perhaps the most convenient option to get to Nakhichevan is a direct UTair flight from Moscow. Planes fly three times a week - on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from Vnukovo, travel time is 3 hours. Nakhichevan Airport is located on the outskirts of the city (only 6 km), it is connected to the central part by bus route No. 6. You can also use an inexpensive taxi, the trip will last about 10 minutes.
Search for flights to Nakhichevan
Transport
Public transport in Nakhchivan is buses and minibuses. But their services are not necessary - the main attractions are within walking distance from the city center. If necessary, you can call a taxi - it is inexpensive, especially if you order a car by phone. Parking is free everywhere. It is convenient to get around the city by bicycle; bikes can be rented at some hotels.
Nakhichevan Hotels
There are few hotels in Nakhichevan. Rare for these places, tourists and business travelers from Baku mainly stay in the main hotel of the city, Tebriz 5*. A room there will cost 130 AZN per night with breakfast. Budget three-star hotels cost around 100 AZN per night. Apartments can be rented for 60-70 AZN. There are no hostels in the city. Prices on the page are for October 2018.
Cafes and restaurants
Almost all establishments in Nakhichevan specialize in Azerbaijani cuisine. First of all, these are dishes from the grill: shish kebab, “Lula-kebab”. Salads made from fresh vegetables are very popular, and all the ingredients are cut very finely: “Azerbaijan” (tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, radishes sprinkled with sour cream), “Khazar” (boiled potatoes with cucumbers, tarragon and sturgeon), “kyukyu” from smoked kutum ( Caspian carp). In general, local restaurants have a lot of fish dishes on their menus. The region is rich water resources, and fish, especially sturgeon, is often used instead of meat in dolma and even pilaf! Fermented milk products are also popular: “firni” (jelly made from milk and rice flour), “dovga” (fermented milk soup), “ovdukh” (okroshka made with kefir).
A hearty dinner in a restaurant will cost 13-26 AZN per person. There are several establishments with European cuisine (with pizza and the ubiquitous Caesar salad), you can eat there for about the same amount.
Sights of Nakhchivan
The pride of Nakhichevan is its numerous mausoleums. True, methods for reconstructing tombs with almost thousand years of history raise questions. The most legendary of the tombs, the Mausoleum of Noah, is located near the Old Fortress (or Kökhnya-Gala) in the southern part of the city.
It is said that the site of the tower, built in 2006, was once a sanctuary, and the tomb was built from the remains of its lower floor. In the center of the mausoleum there is a massive stone column, under which the relics of Noah supposedly rest.
The exact date of its foundation defensive structure archaeologists have not yet found out. But during excavations in the late 1950s. discovered elements of stone sledgehammers and earthenware up to 5,000 years old. The width of the surviving walls is 1 m, and in the part adjacent to the city it reaches 4 m.
Not far from the fortress there are two more mausoleums. The tomb of Yusif ibn Kuseyr, or “Atababa”, was built in the 12th century by the famous Nakhichevan architect Ajemi ibn Abubekr Nakhchivan. Unusual building in the form of an 8-sided cylinder decorated geometric patterns made of brick and covered with a pyramidal dome. Momina Khatun Mausoleum is also the work of Adjemi Nakhchivani. Once the height of the 12th century mausoleum reached 34 m. Today it is slightly lower - only 25 m. Each of the faces is covered with carved details - Arabic script, stylized as a geometric ornament.
Another noteworthy attraction is the Khan's Palace (Heydar Aliyev Avenue, 21). Since its construction (late 18th century), it has been the residence of Nakhichevan khans. In 1998, a two-story building was opened State Museum carpet It exhibits 283 products, grouped by different schools carpet weaving of Azerbaijan.
Weather in Nakhchivan
The climate of Nakhichevan is sharply continental with sultry summers and frosty winters. Therefore, the best time to visit these places will be the off-season: autumn and spring.
Nakhchivan(Also Nakhchivan, Nakhchivan) is a small city in Azerbaijan, located in the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, cut off from the main territory of the country by the territory of Armenia. Population – about 75 thousand people (2013).
The city is located approximately 400 kilometers southwest of Baku, 150 kilometers southeast of Yerevan, near the Iranian border.
German linguist Max Vasmer claims that the city's name comes from the merger Armenian words: “nakhich” - a proper name - and “avan”, which translated means “small place”. According to legend, the city was founded by Noah, and its name is associated with the “landing place” of the ark.
You are unlikely to find any particularly unique attractions for which it is worth flying a couple of thousand kilometers to find yourself in Nakhichevan. Rare foreign tourists usually visit the Khan's Palace, several ancient mausoleums and tombs. The city itself is nothing interesting in architectural terms - ordinary impersonal box houses, lined with tiles and glass or covered with siding. In the center everything is “polished” and ennobled, on the outskirts it is simpler.
History of Nakhchivan
Persian and Armenian sources claim that the city of Nakhichevan was founded back in the 16th century BC. The first mention of Nakhichevan dates back to the 2nd century AD. For several centuries the city was subject to raids and conquests. In the 11th century, Nakhichevan became the residence of the Seljuk Sultan, and a century later - the capital of the Great Azerbaijani Atabeks from the Ildegizid dynasty.
In the 13th and 14th centuries, respectively, the city was ravaged by the Mongols and Tamerlane. Then Nakhichevan was restored, and its heyday began. In the 18th-19th centuries, the city became the capital of the Nakhichevan Khanate, and in 1827 it was occupied by Russian troops, and a year later Nakhichevan became part of the Armenian region.
In a referendum in 1921, 90% of the population supported joining Azerbaijan as an autonomous republic, and since 1924 the city became the capital of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. During the Soviet era, the city was reconstructed and built up.
Last changes: 07.08.2014Sights of Nakhchivan
Tomb of Yusif ibn Kuseir (Yusif Küseyir oğlu türbəsi)- a 12th century building created by the architect Adjemi ibn Abubekr Nakhchivani. The tomb is composed of eight sides, and is crowned with a pyramidal roof. This is one of the oldest monuments in the city.
Mausoleum of Momine Khatun (Mömünə xatun türbəsi)- This great job the same famous architect Ajami Nakhchivani. The height of the mausoleum, built in the 12th century, previously reached 34 meters, but now its height is only 25 meters. The mausoleum was built for the wife of ruler Jahan Pahlavan.
, also known as Tomb of the Prophet Nuh (Nuh payğəmbərin türbəsi)— located in the southern part of the city on the territory Old Fortress(Kökhnya-galy). It was built in 2006 on the remains of an ancient temple. The crypt of this tomb is believed to contain the relics of Noah.
Khan's Palace- a landmark of a later period, it was built in the 18th century. It was created by the father of the last of the Nakhichevan khans. Until the 20th century, khans lived in it, and since 1998 the palace has housed the Carpet Museum.
How to get to Nakhchivan
Nakhichevan has an airport located 4 km from the city, which receives flights from Moscow, Kyiv, Ganja, Baku, and Istanbul. From Russian capital Only UTair airline flies here non-stop on Mondays; travel time is 3 hours 15 minutes.
Last changes: 08/07/2014