Şǝki

Few foreigners visit Azerbaijan beyond the capital city, Baku. In so doing, they overlook a true gem in the form of Shaki. The small city of Shaki has a whole lot to offer by way of historic attractions; in particular, the Palace of the Shaki Khans (Khansarai) is a magnificent work of Islamic architecture and a world heritage site. Its setting is stunning; it lies in the rolling, thickly forested foothills, which spread out to the south, while to the immediate north are the dramatic, snow-capped peaks of the Greater Caucasus. The possibilities for treks into the unspoilt mountain landscapes are endless, and are alone a great reason to visit the city. But more than anything, the relaxed pace of life evident in Shaki's central market and tea houses makes the city a welcome respite from whatever cares you may have.

A relatively small city, Shaki has a population of about 63,000. It is situated in northern Azerbaijan on the southern part of the Greater Caucasus mountain range, 325 km (201 mi) from Baku and not far from the Georgian border. Shaki is located at an altitude of 500 m (1,640 ft).

History:

Throughout its history, Shaki was swung between independence and foreign domination. In its earlier centuries, Shaki was the seat of an Albanian kingdom, which was invaded repeatedly by the Persian, Roman, Parthian, Arab, Mongolian, and other empires. In the past millennium, Shaki fell under the influence and often the direct rule of Persia or the Shirvanshahs of Baku. Shortly after the 18th century collapse of the Safavid Empire, Shaki became the capital of the independent Shaki Khanate, during which the Khansarai was built. But Shaki's independence did not last long; it was absorbed in the early 19th century by an expansionist Russian Empire. Due to Shaki's rather tumultuous political history (in a tumultuous region), the majority of Shaki's preserved historic and architectural monuments date from only the 16th-19th centuries.

Climate:

By train:

The train station has a somewhat inconvenient location about 17 km (11 mi) from the city center. In order to reach the station you will either have to take a taxi for 4-10 manat (depending on your negotiation skills) or hop on a Baku-bound bus or marshrutka and ask the driver to drop you off by the railroad station, and then walk about 200 m to the station. There are night trains that run from Baku-Balakan and make a stop in Shaki. There is also a Balakan-Baku train that passes through Shaki. Passengers must produce their passports in order to buy tickets. It would be wise to purchase a ticket for the luxury carriage in advance. You can contact Mr. Xemlet at ☏ +994 50 672 5538 or Mr. Arxan at ☏ +994 55 672 5758 to make advanced reservations, or buy them online. Tickets bought online must be picket up at least one hour in advance at the train station. The basic carriage (plaskard) costs 6.73 manat for upper bed, and 7.81 manat for lower bed (Oct 2017), the middle class (coupe) costs around 12 manat (Oct 2017), and the luxury carriage (SV/Super Vagon) costs 19 manat (Oct 2017). Make sure that you receive all of your change from the ticket counter, as they often try to shortchange foreigners.

Daily departure times to the Shaki terminal:

Baku: May 28 Station, 22:10

Balakan: 20:00

Zaqatala: 21:00

Qax: 21:45

Daily departure times from the Shaki terminal:

Baku: 23:00

Balakan: ~06:30

By bus or marshrutka: