Established in 1930, the Aghdam Region of the Republic of Azerbaijan is located in southwest Azerbaijan on the western part of the Kura-Aras Plain. Its highest elevation point is 14,700 feet (1,365 meters) above sea level. Its terrain is flat with some low-lying mountains.
Aghdam City is the region’s capital. At a distance of 223 miles (358 kilometers) from Baku, the city sits in the Karabakh valley where the Kura-Aras Plain borders on the Lesser Caucasus. First mentioned in written sources in 1357, an inscription in the city’s ancient cemetery dates a fortress on the site of the city to at least 1174. Officially, the city of Aghdam was founded in the 18th century, but granted city status only in 1828 by the Russian Empire.
Famous for limestone quarries, carpets, and winemaking, the Aghdam region was also Azerbaijan’s leading cotton producing district in the 19th century. In the early 20th century, Aghdam became an important economic center in the region, as well as in Azerbaijan. Once a city of over 150,000 people, it is currently uninhabited due to the Armenian occupation.
The Uzerliktepa settlement, near the city of Aghdam, is an excellent example of the Khojali-Gedabey culture. The Khojali-Gedabey culture was notable for their elaborate burial practices and rich archeological contents. Settled over three thousand years ago, this society was known for its production of their painted ceramic art and elaborate burial practices.
There are many archeological and architectural sites date that from prehistoric times to the late Middle Ages in the Aghdam region. The region also boasts many historical attractions such as Shahbulag Castle, the Tomb of Gutlu Khaja Musa Oglu, Aghdam Juma Mosque, and stone carvings in the village of Boyahmadli.
Shahbulagh Castle
The Shahbulagh Castle complex was built by Khan Panah Ali (founder of the Karabakh Khanate), near Shahbulaghi (the Shah’s Spring), 6 miles (10 kilometers) away from the city of Aghdam. The complex was finished in 1751-1752, and served as his rest area. Mosques, houses, public baths, and a market were constructed within the Shahbulag Castle complex, but only the castle and the mosque have survived. Restored in 1985, the castle is an example of the utilitarian military architecture of Azerbaijan Khanates. Its style may have influenced the architecture of Shusha, the historical capital of Karabakh.
Tomb of Kutlu Khaja Musa Oghlu
Built in 1314, the Kutlu Khaja Musa Oghlu Tomb is a valuable example of Ilkhanid architecture, located in the village of Khachin Turbatli in the region of Aghdam. Kutlu Khaja Musa Oglu was an influential figure of Azerbaijan’s historical Khachin District, and his tomb determined the village’s name (Khachin + Turbet (tomb).
Palace of Panahali Khan
The palace known under this name used to be near Aghdam City and has only survived as ruins; it consists of two structures. It is very likely more buildings initially entered the compound. It was built in the early years after Panahali Khan left the service for Nadir Shah in Khorasan in 1738 and started creating the Karabakh Khanate. The perpendicular buildings of the palace were not like a Khan’s luxurious headquarter, but resembles houses of the 18th century’s Karabakh rich. Their façades used to face the yards. Relatively large, the main building of the palace had a rather complicated configuration and consisted of different-size rooms. The veranda hall occupies the central position in this one-floor building. The nearly 50-square-meter hall with plenty of deep alcoves in its walls is covered with an octagonal dome. Lantern-like light-and-ventilation holes are installed in the dome top. The hall door leads to the three-beam deep veranda. The pointed beams of the veranda are put on solid-stone pillars. Two-room open-entry premises join the veranda hall. The rooms are covered with beams. Longer than 16 meters, the front façade of this interesting house of the 18th century faced the South by the traditions of Azerbaijan’s house architecture. The second building of the palace is rectangular and consists of two rooms. The front door and windows facing the yard in the eastern direction, those rooms are covered with beams, which is typical for stone construction.
Aghdam Juma Mosque
When Aghdam became an important trade center in the 19th century, the Juma Mosque was erected by the leading architect of the period, Kerbalayi Sefi Khan. Completed in 1870, the mosque has a four columned square plan and is adorned with two beautiful minarets, which are traditionally part of medieval Azerbaijan architecture.
Stone Carving
Stone carving in the Aghdam region has a rich history. Dating from the middle ages, historical annals and travelers’ journals have mentioned such figures. In 1973, stone carved human-shaped figures were discovers in the village of Boyahmadli. To date, only ten such figures have been discovered. Similar figures have been found in the region of Barda, which demonstrates a common cultural tradition and common cultural space. Among other carved stone examples are tombstones that date from the 16th–18th centuries. The tombstones include topical reliefs and compositions made of the unity of epigraphic inscriptions with traditional floral ornamentation.
