Tag Archives: Sheki

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 …

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