Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace World Heritage Site

Official name

Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace | UNESCO

Country

Azerbaijan | Map

Continent

Asia

Location

41.2033° Lat, 47.1875° Lon | Map

Code

1549

Time Zone

Asia/Baku (+04, +0400)

Current Time

Category

Cultural

Description

Inscribed 2019. The historic city of Sheki is located at the foot of the Greater Caucasus Mountains and divided in two by the Gurjana River. While the older northern part is built on the mountain, its southern part extends into the river valley. Its historic centre, rebuilt after the destruction of an earlier town by mudflows in the 18th century, is characterized by a traditional architectural ensemble of houses with high gabled roofs. Located along important historic trade routes, the city's architecture is influenced by Safavid, Qadjar and Russian building traditions. The Khan Palace, in the northeast of the city, and a number of merchant houses reflect the wealth generated by silkworm breeding and the trade in silk cocoons from the late 18th to the 19th centuries.