The modern city of Gabala is a relatively recent development, but nearby lies the remnants of another Gabala—Chukhur Gabala, an ancient city that once served as the capital of the early feudal state of Caucasian Albania. This historical state represented a political union of various Caucasian tribes, with Gabala founded long before our era. It thrived as a capital until the 6th century and continued as a major trading hub for another millennium, only to be ultimately destroyed by the Safavids in the 16th century. Today, it stands as one of Azerbaijan’s key archaeological zones, featuring a museum and two active excavation sites.
History enthusiasts should not miss the opportunity to visit the village of Chukhur Gabala, located 15 kilometers southwest of modern Gabala, to witness the remains of this ancient city—once a vital commercial and social center along the Silk Road from the 4th century BC to the 18th century AD, and the capital of the ancient state of Caucasian Albania. Archaeological investigations have been ongoing since 1929, uncovering numerous historical treasures, including a medieval water supply system, coins, ceramics, burial sites, and remnants of buildings from various eras. Among the most significant findings are two round brick towers and sections of the fortress wall, which once marked the southern entrance to the city. After exploring the 25-hectare excavation site, be sure to visit the nearby modern museum, which provides comprehensive insights into the region’s rich history.
In an era long past, around the late 4th to early 3rd centuries BC, the city of Kabala emerged in the vicinity of the Bazar-Yurt and Tufan mountains. It became the capital of Caucasian Albania, one of the earliest states that formed around the 2nd century BC in what is now Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Dagestan. For centuries, Kabala remained a prominent trading center known throughout the East, with Arabs referring to it as al-Khazar or Khazaran. The decline of the city began in the 16th century when it was destroyed by the Safavids—commonly referred to as the Persians for clarity—but it managed to persist until the mid-18th century.
Archaeological excavations of ancient Kabala commenced in the mid-19th century, revealing that the cultural layer is at least 5 meters thick. Visitors can literally embark on a journey through time by exploring three settlements established during different historical periods: Ancient Gabala, Selbir (Gabala-2), and Galou (Gabala-3). The cultural layer dating from the 9th to the 13th centuries is rich with hearths, tandoors, pits, and clay pipe lines for underground water supply.
In the elevated plateau near the village of Chukhur, fragments of the Salbir fortress walls remain, constructed from remarkably small, tightly fitted bricks.
The fortress walls of ancient Gabala are a hallmark of the region. Upon entering the local museum, visitors are greeted by a prominent display of the most famous view of the fortress towers—its foundation, made of white limestone, was constructed in the 20th century to prevent the collapse of the tower remnants.
Excavations at the ruins of the ancient city are ongoing, and all significant historical finds, dating from the beginning of our era to the late Middle Ages, can be viewed at the Gabala Historical and Local Lore Museum. Among these treasures are shards of ancient ceramic vessels and burial jars.
Remarkably thin-walled clay vessels were once filled by warriors with the “black oily blood of the earth”—a term used for the oil that once seeped to the surface in Azerbaijan. After filling the vessels, their contents would be ignited and hurled at enemies. The production of glazed ceramics reached its zenith during the 9th to 13th centuries, and it was during this time that marks from the artisans who crafted these vessels began to appear on their bases.