Nestled in northern Azerbaijan at the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus, Ganja stands as one of the oldest cities in the country and the entire Caucasus region. In contrast to the ultramodern capital of Baku, Ganja offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the national spirit of the Republic and explore its well-preserved architectural ensembles. As the second-largest city in Azerbaijan, Ganja is often regarded as its cultural capital. Despite its modest size, the city is rich in sights and activities. As you stroll through its streets, you’ll encounter ancient mosques, mausoleums, and hammams that coexist with the architecture of socialist classicism.
According to an ancient legend, Ganja derives its name from a treasure discovered within its territory—the word translates from Persian as “treasure house.” While archaeologists have not pinpointed the exact date of the city’s founding, evidence suggests that human settlements existed here long ago. It is believed that Ganja became a city in 859 AD, with Azerbaijani historians often crediting the Arab Muslims for establishing the original settlement, known as Old Ganja, located about ten kilometers from the present city. Here, the mausoleum of Jomard Gassab, a noble warrior who lived in the 7th century during the reign of the fourth Caliph Ali ibn Abu Talib, was uncovered. By the 13th century, Ganja had evolved into a vast trade and craft center, encircled by formidable walls and towers.
Ganja’s strategic location along the Great Silk Road fueled its development. From the 11th century, it was ruled by the Seljuk Turks, followed by the Ildegizids—Atabegs of Azerbaijan—who regarded Ganja as their northern capital, second only to Tabriz. It was in Ganja during the 12th century that the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi lived and created. Nizami is celebrated worldwide for his famous “Khamsa,” a collection of five epic poems that includes masterpieces like “Leyli and Majnun” and “Khosrow and Shirin.”
In the 13th century, the prosperous city of Ganja faced the devastating Mongol invasion. During the 16th to 18th centuries, it became part of the Iranian Azerbaijani Safavid state, serving as the center of the Karabakh Beglarbegi (governorship). The city changed hands several times between the Ottoman Turks and various local rulers.
In 1747, Ganja became the capital of the small but powerful Ganja Khanate, which later joined the Russian Empire in the 19th century. The city was stormed in January 1804 by Russian general Pavel Tsitsianov (Tsitsishvili). The Russians renamed Ganja to Elisavetpol in honor of Empress Elizabeth, the wife of Tsar Alexander I.
Today, Ganja is a modern district filled with an abundance of restaurants, shops, and hotels, boasting well-developed infrastructure. It is situated 370 kilometers away from the capital of Azerbaijan, with a travel time of approximately 4 to 5 hours.
