North-western route: Gobustan

GOBUSTAN DISTRICT is one of the administrative districts of the historical region of our country called Shirvan. From the 8th to the 16th century, the territory of Shirvan was home to one of the most significant states of Azerbaijan, the state of the Shirvanshahs, with its capital in the city of Shamakhi. It was the longest-lasting state in the history of the medieval East.

Today's Gobustan District lies east of Shamakhi District and is 101 km from Baku. The word "Gobu" means "gully" in Azerbaijani. The toponym reflects the local terrain of gullies, ravines and rocky gorges. In spring it is very beautiful here, with poppies, daisies and irises in bloom. The CLIMATE in the district is predominantly semi-desert.

The most distinctive and appealing sight for tourists here is the CAVE LABYRINTHS ("kurs"), located in a gorge not far from the town, in the village of SUNDU. Here you can also see an unusual natural phenomenon that locals call AGLAYAN GAYA ("Weeping Rock"). Legend has it that these are a mother's tears for her warrior sons who died here. The caves are a large system of natural galleries and grottoes, artificially widened and adapted for living in the Middle Ages, when Azerbaijan was torn by internecine wars and raids by foreign conquerors. The local population hid in them, waiting for the invaders to leave.

THE TOWN OF MARAZA is the administrative centre of Gobustan District, located on the Maraza plateau, next to the district's main highway. According to one legend, the town's name ("maraz") came from the healing of an influential man's beloved wife from a serious illness: she recovered once she settled here. Whether this legend is true, no one knows. But here, in the vicinity of Maraza, there is a MINERAL SPRING. Its water is bitter and salty, but it cures certain gastrointestinal ailments.

Reminders that this area was inhabited in deep antiquity include the famous SHEIKH DUZU burial mounds; the remains of ancient settlements of the 1st to 8th centuries BC, located on ancient trade routes near today's village of DAG KOLANI; the DIRI BABA mausoleum (15th century) on the outskirts of the town; and the remains of SHAH ABBAS's caravanserai in the very centre of the town.

Carpet weaving has been practised here since ancient times. The patterns of local carpets are known all over the world under the names "MARAZA", "CHUKHANLI" and "JAMJAMLI". There are also the "NABUR" carpets, which are still hand-woven to this day in the village of the same name.

The little town of Maraza is small and has no hotels, so for accommodation you can rent a room or a private house. The hosts can also cook meals for you if you wish.