Historical Significance.
Ismayilli District is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. Ismayilli district was created with the center in the Ismayilli village in 1931.
A number of settlements, especially Lahydj and Basgal settlements, Ivanovka, Galadjyg, Talystan and Diyarly villages are notable for their ancient history and special beauty. Lahij and Basgal were declared the reserves of history and culture
Cultural Heritage.
Paintings, sculptures, literature, and architectural styles reflect the artistic expressions of a culture, preserving its creativity and aesthetic values. In addition, you can learn kelaghayi making in Basgal, and copper craftsmanship in Lahij
Sightseeings
- Javanshir Fortress is a defensive fortress located 4 km north of the village of Talystan in the Ismayilli region. The castle was built by the ruler Javanshir during the reign of Mehranids dynasty in the Caucasus Albania and completed in the 7th century. The fortress is named after him. The fortress consists of outer and inner parts (Ichgala). The width of the southern wall of the main part reaches 2 meters, height 10 meters. Ichgala area of 2 hectares was built at the very top of the mountain.
- Museum of Local Lore, which has been operating since 1980, moved to a new building in 2009. The museum's collection includes more than 1,000 exhibits, including many unique ones, such as, for example, the oldest butter found in the world. It was found in an amphora in the village of Mollaisagli during the construction of the Oghuz-Gabala-Baku water pipeline.
- Galachyg Village is located 30 km from the district center. The toponym means "small fortress". This is the only village in the Ismayilli region, where chestnuts grow. These huge trees here in the village grow everywhere, covering everything around the shadow of their powerful crowns.
- Ivanovka is a village and municipality in the Ismailli District of Azerbaijan. It is at a height of 848 m above sea level, 13 km from Ismailli region. The original name of Ivanovka was Nefteran. The village was renamed in honor of Colonel Ivanov, who led the migration of Molokans to Azerbaijan. Residents of Ivanovka call themselves "Molokans," who were exiled for not wanting to accept Russian church reform and adhered to the Old Believers. Houses in Ivanovka are ancient, classical standard wooden buildings with carved platbands lined up in a row. The rows of houses are separated by roads that form wide streets. Near each house there is a bench. In the gardens grow fruits, melons, corn, sunflowers, etc.
- Basgal (also, Azizbekovo, Baskal, and Baskhal) is a settlement and municipality in the Ismailli Rayon of Azerbaijan. Basgal is also the home of Azerbaijani kelaghayi making. Traditionally worn by Azerbaijani women, kelaghayis are exquisite silk headscarves with patterns made using the batik technique – a method of stamping on hot wax to prevent the dye from colouring the fabric. Narrow streets, paved with cobblestone, and houses built from the same stones create a special atmosphere. An interesting feature of Basgal is that all the houses are facing the facade to Mecca. Another distinctive feature is that since the XVII century hamamas were arranged inside the house.
- Lahij is a village in Ismayilli which is 3 hours' ride away from Baku. It is situated on the canyon of Girdimanchai, 1200+ meters above the sea level. Lahij was built in 5th century B.C. Village has been recognized as a museum-sanctuary and preserved since 1980. Lahij village is known for its craftsmanship of blacksmithing, pottery and other fields. You can visit stores of local craftsmen, where you can find unique hand-made items from iron and copper, adorned with carving in the form of oriental ornaments, knitted and weaved goods, wood and leather ware, souvenir knives and so on.
