Gabala is one of the most beautiful corners of Azerbaijan, nestled in a gorge near Mount Bazar-Yurt. Once a significant stop along the Great Silk Road, it welcomed travelers from all over the world. Today, the city continues to uphold traditions of friendship and hospitality. Here are five compelling reasons to explore this enchanting destination.
Reason #1: Seek Adventure in the “Little Switzerland” and Walk Among the Clouds
The Tufandag Mountains are often referred to as “Little Switzerland.” Their stunning landscapes attract tourists year-round, offering breathtaking views from the cable car that ascends into the foothills of the Greater Caucasus. A highlight for many visitors is the glass bridge, a popular spot for photos. While walking across is safe, some find it hard to overcome their fear of the transparent floor. For those preferring a more tranquil experience, Gabala boasts the serene Nohur Göl Lake, perfect for relaxation.
Reason #2: Savor Shashlik Cooked on River Stones
The second reason to visit is the local cuisine. Only in Gabala can you try the dish known as dasha arasy, which translates to “between the stones.” This ancient method of cooking meat is a regional specialty. Shashlik on stone is a signature dish here, where river boulders replace the traditional grill. These stones are highly heat-resistant and do not crack when heated. Even the tandoor is lined with river stones for cooking meat, and unlike typical tandoors, it is covered with a lid. Remarkably, this cooking technique has been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient nomads and warriors during their campaigns.
Reason #3: Visit the “Seven Beauties” Waterfall Complex
Gabala is famous for its waterfalls, making it another excellent reason to visit Azerbaijan. The renowned “Yeddi Gozel” waterfall complex, which translates to “Seven Beauties,” features seven waterfalls located just 200 meters apart. Visitors can admire these natural wonders while ascending a narrow staircase carved into the rock. The steps become steeper as you climb, but this doesn’t deter adventurers. Historically, the waterfall was a pilgrimage site where people came to seek healing from various ailments. According to legend, reaching the top would cure one’s sickness, and many still believe in the waterfalls’ healing powers. The views from the waterfalls are simply breathtaking from every angle.
Reason #4: Explore the Village of Nij and the Ancient Chotari Christian Church
Gabala is a multi-confessional region, home to ancient Christian churches. The Chotari Temple, located in the village of Nij, is just 20 kilometers southwest of Gabala. Built in the 18th century, this church accommodates around 100 worshippers and holds services in the Udi language, a direct descendant of the ancient Albanian written language. Today, tourists flock to this small Azerbaijani village to witness the daily lives of the Udi people, making it another compelling reason to explore Gabala.
Reason #5: Discover the Lives of the Udis – One of the Earliest Peoples of the Eastern Caucasus
One of the village’s highlights is a 300-year-old house, a significant landmark. This home belongs to the descendants of the founder of the settlement, a priest from the ancient Udi clan of Gangaly. This priest lived in the village during the 17th century and was known for his kindness and generosity. His descendants occupied this house until the late 20th century, and in 2017, the government decided to establish a museum there. The entire village contributed over two thousand exhibits, including items from the priest’s family, weaving looms, and winemaking tools. They even created a wine cellar in an old oak tree, just as it was done in ancient times. Celebrities, including Norwegian scholar Thor Heyerdahl, Prince Andrew of the British royal family, and ambassadors from various countries, have visited to learn about the lives of this ancient people.
The history of Lake Balkhash spans thousands of years. It is first mentioned in ancient chronicles from China and Kazakhstan. The lake is situated in the deepest part of the Balkhash-Alakol Basin, which formed as a result of the tectonic subsidence of the Turan Plate, later filled with river sediments.
In addition to the basin, the system of faults in the Dzhungar Alatau includes the lakes Sassykkol, Alakol, and Ebi-Nur, which also emerged from the ancient Khankhai Sea that once inundated the entire depression. Approximately 30,000 to 35,000 years ago, this sea completely vanished from the Earth’s surface, leaving behind several lakes, including Balkhash.
The lake was known to the Chinese as “Xi-hai,” or “Western Sea,” a name that appeared in a geographical atlas from 1855. At that time, the Kalmyks and Dzhungars referred to the body of water as “Balkhash-Nor,” while eastern ethnic groups, such as the Turks and Mongols, who classified all geographic features west of their territory as “white,” named the lake “Ak-Dengiz,” meaning “White Sea.”
