Sheki

Amidst the wealth of architectural and historical landmarks in Sheki, it is challenging to pinpoint the most significant. However, the Palace of the Sheki Khans is undoubtedly the city’s main symbol. Constructed in the late 18th century without a single nail, this small two-story mansion was once part of a vast complex and served as the residence of the Sheki Khans. Its façade is adorned with intricate paintings depicting hunting scenes and military battles, as well as floral and geometric patterns. At its center is a grand stained-glass window made of a colorful mosaic known as “shebeke.” Nearby, remnants of an 18th-century fortress wall, restored in the 1950s, can also be found.

In medieval times, Sheki was known as a city of merchants and craftsmen, a reputation bolstered by its location on the Great Silk Road. Thus, it is no surprise that alongside residential homes and shops, the landscape was dotted with caravanserais. Initially, there were dozens of these establishments, but by the 19th century, five were operational. Today, only two caravanserais remain: the Upper and Lower. These caravanserais were designed with great attention to service and security; goods were stored in the basement, sold on the first floor, while merchants resided on the second.

Today, the Sheki Caravanserai has been transformed into a hotel. The caravanserai grounds feature a quaint street café, where visitors can relax in the courtyard surrounded by lush gardens next to a decorative pool, savoring aromatic freshly brewed tea and Sheki baklava.

One of the most notable religious landmarks in the city is the Khan Mosque, built between 1745 and 1750 (located on Khoiskaya Street). Constructed from local materials such as river stones, burnt bricks, lime, oak, hazel, and poplar, the interior of the mosque is relatively simple, with colorful stained-glass windows adding splashes of color. Adjacent to the mosque is a cemetery with ancient gravestones, where the Sheki Khans and their relatives are laid to rest.

Getting to Sheki

Daily, nine buses and one overnight train depart from the capital of Azerbaijan to Sheki. Upon arriving at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, travelers can reach the Central Railway Station via the express bus H1, which runs every 20-30 minutes. The train to Sheki departs at 10:10 PM and arrives the next day at 6:48 AM. The Sheki railway station is located 17 kilometers from the city, but taxis and minibuses gather at the station to take passengers to the center in just 15 minutes. Alternatively, travelers can also reach Sheki from Ganja, where minibuses regularly operate (157 km away).