| Şəki | |
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| Information | |
| Country | Azerbaijan |
| Population | 68 360 |
| Area code | 177 |
| Postal Code | AZ5500 |
Şəki is second after Baku the most visited city by tourists in Azerbaijanalthough the disproportion is huge, as few foreigners poke their nose outside the capital. It's a pity, because Szeki has a great mountain location, Khan's Palace, Karvanseray and some interesting places in the area.
The city has over 60 thousand. residents. They are famous throughout Azerbaijan for their specific sense of humor (jokes about Haj Dej).
History
Initially, Şəki was the capital of the Albanian state, which constantly had to repel attacks from Persians, Romans, Parthians, Arabs and Mongols. The second millennium marked the strong influence or direct authority of the Persians or the Shirvanah shahs of Baku. When the Safavid dynasty collapsed in the 18th century, Sheki became the capital of the Shekhin Khanate and Karvanseray dates back to this period. However, independence did not last long - at the beginning of the 19th century it was incorporated into the Russian Empire. Due to its turbulent history, among the architectural monuments, Szeki mainly offers buildings erected in the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Drive
WITH Baku it is 325 km to Şəka. The following connections are from the capital city.
By train
You need to show your ID when buying a train ticket!
Trains run daily, this is the route to Balakən. The journey takes approx. 8 hours: departure from Baku at. 10:20 pm, arrival in Shekh after 6:00 am. Ticket prices:
- plackarta - 2.60 AZN,
- bought - AZN 3.60,
- SV - 5 AZN.
The train station in Şəki is about 17 km from the center, so you have to take into account an additional expense of 3 AZN for a taxi.
The return train is at 22:00.
By car
The road to Şəka is quite good. First, we leave Baku in the direction of na Sumgaitto turn right after a few kilometers to the snail, which will "transport" us over the two-lane road to the road shamanic. For Chess, you have to choose one of two paths: the more difficult, but the more interesting through Qəbəıə or better and faster by Ağsu.
By bus
Big Caspian Express and Mtrans buses run several times a day. The journey takes about 7 hours, and the route is not very interesting Kürdəmir. However, when it comes to comfort, air conditioning and the amount of legroom can tip the balance in favor of this mode of transport. Price: AZN 6.
By minibus
Marshrutkas they go to Sheka approximately every half hour from the main bus station (Avtovağzal) near the subway 20 Yanvar. You have to look for them not among the main positions, but as if in the second row, by the fence. The cost of the journey is 6 AZN, time: 5-5.5 h (with a half-hour stop in Şamaxı).
Taxi
Taxi drivers swarm in front of the bus station entrance - chałthurszczniawho offer space in a car shared by 4 people. They drive very fast - 3-3.5 hours, the price is twice the price marshrutkaswhich is about 12 AZN. You can haggle.
Public collective transport
Şəki is only big in relation to other Azerbaijani cities. The most important places can be safely visited on foot.
Taxis are clearly cheaper than in Baku and they run around the city for less than a manatee.
There are several marshrutkas driving around Şəki, the most important of them are:
- line 11 - runs between Khan's Palace and the bus station with a stop in front of Karvanseray.
- line 22 - as above, but goes as far as the Olympic Complex.
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- Xan Sarayı (Khan's Palace) - from the 18th century, only the richly decorated representative part of the palace has been preserved. Open from 10.00 to 17.00 in low season and until 19.00 in high season. Entry 0.80 AZN, you have to pay 2 AZN per camera to take photos.
- Karvanseray - today it is a hotel and restaurant. It used to be a safe stop for caravans on The Silk Road. It was the largest building of this type in Transcaucasia. The courtyard looks beautiful, it is worth going a bit further along the cloisters.
- Albanian church - falling into disrepair, located off the beaten track near the music school and almost in the backyard of the elementary school, from where you can jump over the wall on a weekday and look inside.
It is worth a try
- Halva - the local halva is very liked by many Azerbaijans. Awfully sweet and greasy, but you have to try!
- Piti - a valued Azerbaijani delicacy, a type of soup. The local variety is distinguished by, among others, using boneless meat.
1. First, the liquid contents of a clay jug are poured over a plate. 2. Hold the meat, peas, etc. with a spoon so they do not fall out. 3. Torn pieces of bread are thrown into the plate 4. After eating this part of the food, knead what is left in the pot. 5. Eat the rest with relish!
Nearest neighborhood
- Kiş - approx. 10 km from the city, the oldest church in the Caucasus, restored with the help of the Norwegians.
- Gələrsen Görərsən - fortified tower 3 km from Kishu.
- Hadży Murad's grave - approx. 20 km in the direction of na Qax.
Shopping
In Şəki you can buy halva and other local pastries and sweets. You can easily find the right shops, which always advertise with colorful signs.
In addition, the handicraft is noteworthy: silk scarves, carpets, papagus / papachs, musical instruments and copper products. It is also worth being interested şəbəkə - a variety of stained glass. A cluster of souvenir sellers is a few steps down from the entrance to Karvanseray, but you can also look for such items at the bazaar.
Gastronomy
Sparingly
The restaurant is worth recommending Səma over the river after crossing the bridge towards na Qax (old road). It has a nice view and the locals eat here, so the prices are automatically lower.
Coming out of Karvanseray, after crossing the bridge and some 200 meters, we come across a restaurant Qaqarin. Nice view and not as expensive as the point it is accessing from.
Moderate
Good food and a nice location it offers Karvanseraywhose gazebos in the garden allow you to relax and taste food almost in nature in a picnic atmosphere. Unfortunately, the staff is late, especially at lunchtime.
Entertainment
During the Soviet times, it was held in Şəki Festival of Humor. Now, if something organizes at all, it is irregular.
Accommodation
Sparingly
- Hotel Şəki - heavy, socialist block, but very cheap but dirty rooms for 3-5 AZN, and more expensive (and cleaner) for over 15 AZN. Tel. 0177 42488
- Kish - a family that deals with the Albanian church offers accommodation for 10 AZN per person. Good conditions, clean bathroom outside, toilet less inviting, but European. The breakfasts are expensive and not the best. Tel. 050 3837422 (Alim).
Moderate
- Karvanseray - in spring and autumn it is cold here - you have to ask for extra blankets, but in summer - it is refreshingly cool. The rooms and bathrooms are clean, there is hot water and TV. The price for a double is 20 AZN, a single - 12 AZN. The offer also includes larger rooms and LUX apartments. In extremely located rooms, mouse scratching against the wall can happen ... Tel. 0177 44184.
- Guesthouse Panorama - shared but clean bathrooms outside. The price is negotiable - around 15-20 AZN and probably includes breakfast. Tel. 050 6229027. The owner is able to arrange sleeping in the city, especially when he has a full house (15 AZN per person).
Exclusively
- Sheki Saray - a new hotel, the most expensive, even luxurious - prices start somewhere from 50 AZN. Tel. 0177 48181Web page.
- Olimijski complex - a little off the beaten track, at the entrance to the city. The cottages in which you can sleep cost 40 AZN. In addition, it is possible to use a sports hall or a conference room for 50 people. Tel. 0177 51263.
Security
Şəki is a quiet and safe place. The most annoying can be the children's cries of "hallo" behind their backs ...
Tips
There is no shortage of exchange offices, banks and ATMs in the city, where you can exchange or withdraw the necessary cash.
contact
- Internet cafes (called İnternet club) can be easily found in many parts of the city. The best one is in the main post office or across the street from it. Price: AZN 0.40 per hour.
- Also, sending a foreign letter or postcard should not be a problem, because post offices are not difficult to locate in various parts of the Shekh. The price for a regular service of this type is AZN 0.80.
Trip
- Westbound to Qaxu or further to They quit and the Georgian border (there is less traffic on it than on the Krasny Mosta).
- You can go towards Ganjawhich is the second largest city Azerbaijan.
- back to Baku by Oguz you can stop at the local waterfall.