Nakhchivan is situated on the right bank of the Nakhchivanchay River, bordering Iran. It serves as the capital of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and is the center of the eponymous historical region. This city is one of the oldest known settlements of humankind. The earliest mention of Nakhchivan can be found in the works of the ancient Greek scholar Claudius Ptolemy, who referred to it as “Naksuana” in his “Guide to Geography” (2nd century CE). In contrast, the Armenian historian Moses of Khorene provides a different name: “Idjevan.”
The exact year of Nakhchivan’s founding remains a topic of debate. Armenian and Persian sources suggest it was established in 1539 BCE, while British researchers propose a date of 1500 BCE. According to ancient legend, Nakhchivan was founded by the biblical figure Noah. The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus noted in the 1st century CE that the Armenian version of the city’s name, “Nakhjavan” (or “Nakhidjevan”), translates to “the place of the first landing.” According to tradition, during the Great Flood, Noah’s Ark came to rest on the summit of Mount Kapidzhik (Kaputdjukh). Later, when the waters receded, the Old Testament patriarch established a city at the mountain’s base, which became the cradle of new life. Various signs point to this biblical connection: the alternative name for Mount Kapidzhik is Gyamigaya, which translates to “stone ship,” and there are nearby pastures (eylag) called Nabi Yurdu (“Nabi’s Shelter”) and an ancient settlement named Nukhdağan (“Noah’s Foot”).
Here in Nakhchivan, locals believe that Noah lived out his days and completed his earthly journey. A visit to the south of Nakhchivan reveals the Old Fortress (Kekhna-gala), where one can see Noah’s tomb. Archaeologists date its construction to the 8th-12th centuries CE. The inspector of the Nakhchivan City School, K. A. Nikitin, described this site in his writings:
“In its current state, the tomb resembles a low and not very large mausoleum. Initially, there was a temple here, but it was later destroyed. The present tomb consists of remnants of the lower floor of the former temple. It requires descending steps to reach an arched interior resembling a crypt, reinforced by a stone pillar in the center. According to tradition, the relics of Noah lie beneath this pillar. The crypt contains no images or decorative embellishments. The walls are whitewashed and filled with names in various languages of the pilgrims and travelers who have visited this site.”
Throughout its long history, Nakhchivan has frequently changed hands. From the 9th to the 6th centuries BCE, the city was part of the Median state, later falling under Persian rule for an extended period. Around 550 BCE, Armenian King Tigranes I, in alliance with Persian King Cyrus II the Great, defeated the Median Empire and resettled all captured Medians in Nakhchivan and its surrounding lands. The city remained under Achaemenid control until the 30s of the 4th century BCE, after which it came under the influence of Atropatene (Minor Media).
For centuries, Nakhchivan stood at the crossroads of the trade routes of the Great Silk Road, making it a vital commercial, artisanal, and administrative center. The city maintained close economic and cultural ties with many states, including Iran and Georgia, as well as ports on the Black Sea and cities in Asia Minor.
In the 7th to 9th centuries, Nakhchivan, like other Azerbaijani lands, fell under Arab control. However, in 654, the city authorities negotiated a peace treaty with the Arab emir Habib ibn Muslima, whereby the residents were required to pay regular taxes and tributes to the caliphate.
As the Arab Caliphate lost its power, new state formations began to emerge in modern-day Azerbaijan, governed by various dynasties such as the Shirvanshahs, Sajids, Salarids, Rawwadids, Shaddadids, and the Sheki khans. In 1221, the Mongols reached Nakhchivan, plundering and nearly destroying the city. The city endured many more invasions; during the reign of Ghazan Khan, Nakhchivan was rebuilt, only to be destroyed again by Tokhtamysh, a khan of the Golden Horde, and later captured by Timur’s forces. During the Turkish-Persian wars of the 16th and 17th centuries, Nakhchivan also changed hands multiple times and suffered devastation.
Nakhchivan became part of the Russian Empire in 1828. By that time, it had established itself as the capital of the Nakhchivan Khanate. Following the end of World War I, in June 1918, Turkish forces occupied the city, leading to the declaration of the Arax Republic with their support. However, this occupation was short-lived; by November, British forces expelled the Turks, and on July 28, 1920, the Red Army arrived to take control.
Initially, it was intended for Nakhchivan to remain part of the Armenian SSR. However, in early 1921, a referendum was held in the city, where an overwhelming 90% of participants voted to remain within Azerbaijan as an autonomous republic. This pivotal decision led to the establishment of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, which endured until 1990.