Tourism Breaking News
Being one of the 12 destinations which offer visa on arrival for expats from UAE, Azerbaijan tourism has taken one step further to include in their specialized itinerary an authentic and historical location known as Sheki located at about four and a half hour drive from Baku, this city charms its visitors with its Silk Road ambiance with caravanserais and hammams, delicious cuisine, natural surroundings and warm hospitality.
Palace of Sheki Khans together with its historic centre is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Built in the shade of hundreds-year old plane trees, this 18th-century palace was the summer residence of Sheki khans – the-then rulers. One of the most distinctive features of this architectural pearl is its interior decorated with floral frescoes and shebeke windows made by filling wooden lattices with tiny glass pieces without using any nails and allow a ray of lights to come through in a magical manner.
Another must-visit spot is the Karvansaray hotel established within a 18th-century caravanserai where you can feel the ancient Silk Road vibe while having the best of local sweets and enjoying the much famous tea culture in Azerbaijan. Speaking of sweets, you will notice that there are many sweet shops in the streets of Sheki. Quite famous for having a sweet tooth, locals here are masters in preparing some of the best sweets such as bamiya and halva. Bamiya are fingers of dough draped in syrup while Sheki’s signature halva is a type of pakhlava made of very thin dough layers packed with ground nuts, syrup, saffron and spices. Especially the latter reminds of a true work of art, and you can take it home as a great souvenir in lovely gift boxes.
Sheki is also known for its crafts. Passed from generation to generation, craftsmanship is visible at every corner of the city from local restaurants to museums. One such experience is the above-mentioned shebeke making. You can take a short walk from the Sheki Fortress, find yourself at a shebeke workshop, and see how thousands of colourful stained glass pieces are brought together to create a unique piece of craft used in windows and mirrors. While we are on the craftsmanship, it is highly recommended to visit the House of Craftsmen which serves as a showroom and shop window for local arts and crafts, which include embroidery, papaq (hat) and kelaghayi (headscarves for women) among others.
For another local experience, you can visit hammams that have been catering to cleansing of body and mind. Among them there are ones operating since the 19th century, and they still carry the spirit of the past. After full relaxation at one of these exquisite hammams, you can end this memorable day by enjoying the hearty dish piti at a restaurant surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes.
