Alibeyli village

After immersing yourself in the ancient ruins and misty waterfalls of Lekit, venture onward to the next captivating stop: the village of AliBeyli, nestled in the flatlands of Gakh District. This unassuming settlement, a mere extension of your Caucasus adventure.

AliBeyli was once a Georgian village. A well-preserved Georgian church still stands here. But the true oddity—and arguably the village’s star attraction—is the Stalin monument that miraculously survived outside the local Georgian school. Erected during the Soviet era, this statue is one of just two (or possibly the only one by now) remaining in Azerbaijan dedicated to the famous Soviet leader. Legend has it that during the 1950s anti-cult-of-personality campaigns, the villagers fiercely defended the monument, preserving it from demolition. Over the decades, it faded into obscurity, forgotten amid the tides of history, until it reemerged as AliBeyli’s quirky centerpiece—a bronze relic that sparks curiosity and reflection.

The village is home to ethnic Georgians, who proudly maintain traditions. Here, life unfolds like a living tapestry: vibrant festivals and boisterous feasts fill the air with laughter and song, the Georgian language flows naturally, and the local church remains a spiritual anchor. Even the winemaking echoes Tbilisi’s ways, with grapes fermented in traditional clay qvevri pots buried in the earth, yielding robust vintages shared around communal tables. Locals affectionately call their home “AliBeglo”.

Sustaining this idyllic rhythm is the primary livelihood: nut gathering. Families venture into the surrounding orchards and wild groves, harvesting walnuts and hazelnuts that dot the landscape like scattered treasures, their efforts fueling a simple, self-sufficient existence.