Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace, Azerbaijan
Discover Sheki's long history as a former hub of the silk trade
The historic city of Sheki, lying in a forested valley of the eastern Caucasian mountains, has ancient origins, dating back to the 6th century BCE. The city is divided in two by the Gurjana River. While the older northern part is built on the mountain, its southern part extends into the river valley.
The Upper, or Yukhary, Caravanserai (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
The traditional buildings with their typical high saddle roofs, deep verandas and gardens are the key characteristics of the historic urban landscape, within the spectacular setting of the forested mountain slopes.
Coloured tiling in geometric patterns (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
Being in contact with important trade routes, the region of Sheki has been subject to a variety of cultural influences. Christianity was here introduced as early as the 1st century CE, and Islam in the 7th century. During its recent history, it has been under various realms, including the Safavids, Ottomans and Qajars until the 18th century.
Frieze with battle scene (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
In 1743, Sheki was established as the first and the most powerful of a series of Khanates in Caucasus, representing a new administrative system in the region. This was followed by Russian rule in the 19th century.
The ground floor hall or Divane Khan with light flooding though the shabaka windows (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
These different cultures have also influenced the features of architecture, of which the Khan´s Palace is an outstanding example, also reflected in many of the interiors of wealthy merchant houses such as fireplaces (bukharas), decorations, and a vernacular type of windows (shabaka) etc.
Upper caravanserai from the street (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
The fortress, the Khan Palace, and the caravanserais, reflect the important administrative and commercial role of the city.
Features of architecture (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
Built in 1797 during the reign of Mammad Hasan Khan, the palace complex is composed of the Khan’s residence and seat of power, a mosque, baths, pantries, stables, barns and other service buildings.
Floral murals (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
It is further characterized by artistic decoration, including paintings, stalactite niche ornaments and ceilings adorned with floral patterns.
Sheki streets (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
As a trading centre, in contact with Asia and Europe, and also as a part of Silk Road route, the principal economy of Sheki, from the ancient times, has been based on silkworm breeding, the trading of cocoons and raw silk, and the development of various crafts, which continue in the region.
Dadanov’s residential house (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
The morphology of the urban fabric and its growth patterns were a direct result of the topography of the site, and the economic developments and the activities related to the silk trade.
Shakikhanov's House (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
The site Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2019 under Criteria (ii) and (v).
Church (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
Criterion (ii): As the major cultural and commercial centre in the region, the Historic Centre of Sheki exhibits an important interchange of multiple cultural influences, which have their origin in its history over two millennia, but developed particularly under the Safavid, Ottoman and Qajar influences, and the later impact of Russian rule.
Sheki in turn influenced a wider territory of Caucasus and beyond.
Exterior of the Summer Palace (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
The current urban form, which dates back to the new construction after the flood of 1772, continued earlier building traditions responding to the local climatic conditions, and the requirements of the traditional economy and crafts activities.
In particular construction elements and details of Sheki’s domestic architecture, such as balconies, doors, arches, and fences, reflect oriental characteristics that later evolved under Russian influence.
Sheki is also an exceptional testimony to the feudal system of the Caucasian khanates, which developed from 1743 to 1819, as expressed in the architecture of the Khan’s palaces, the interiors of wealthy merchant houses, and the fortifications.
General view of Sheki (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
Criterion (v): Completely realized according to ancient rules, the Historic Centre of Sheki represents an extraordinary example of a planned productive ‘garden city’, as exemplified in its hydraulic water system for driving mills and irrigation, productive structures related to sericulture, and the peculiar organization of the houses aligned with their cultivated fields, all set within a forested landscape setting.
General view (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
The Historic Centre of Sheki has a population of around 15,000 people, whilst the city as a whole is home to a total of 68,300 inhabitants.
A shabaka window from the interior (2019) by Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s PalaceUNESCO World Heritage
The historic centre of the city of Sheki in northwest Azerbaijan consists of cobbled streets lined with centuries-old merchant housing, mosques, hammams and caravanserais. Its centrepiece is the Sheki Fortress, home to the stunning Sheki Khan’s Palace, and overall it reflects Sheki’s former status as a hub of the silk trade.
This exhibit was created by Azerbaijan Tourism Board: https://azerbaijan.travel/
More on the Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace and World Heritage: whc.unesco.org/en/list/1549/
Photos: Azerbaijan Travel
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