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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva arrived in Shamakhi district on September 17.
Axar.az reports that the head of state and the First Lady visited the monument to the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, erected in the center of the city of Shamakhi.
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On September 17, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the inauguration of the Meysari Grand Hotel & SPA complex in Shamakhi.
Mehmet Balcik, Chief Executive Officer of Pasha Hospitality, briefed the head of state and the First Lady on the newly constructed Meysari Grand Hotel & SPA in Meysari village of Shamakhi district, noting that the complex is a multifunctional tourism and recreation destination.
Located at an altitude of 1,050 meters above sea level, the complex comprises a hotel and cottages, restaurants, a conference center, a spa and wellness center, sports and recreation areas, a children’s entertainment center, a parking lot and a helipad.
The complex features a total of 204 rooms, including 88 rooms of various categories in the main hotel building and 116 rooms in the cottage section. Additionally, three villas are located within the complex.
The wellness center offers extensive amenities for guests’ relaxation and well-being.
The complex features three swimming pools, gym and pilates halls, a tennis court, a football pitch, a padel court, and a children’s entertainment center.
The helipad is designed to enable guests to use air transport when necessary. Restaurants will also operate within the complex.
The Nasimi Conference Center is also located on the premises. The 420-seat center is designed to host conferences, meetings, presentations, business gatherings, and other events. In addition, the complex has a hall for organizing smaller-scale events and meetings.
Indoor and outdoor parking areas have been established at the complex.
A total of 320 new jobs have been created at the complex.
Shamakhi, distinguished by its ancient history, rich cultural heritage, beautiful nature, and unique mild climate, is one of Azerbaijan’s attractive tourism destinations. Mountain landscapes, vineyards, ancient monuments, and traditions of hospitality make the region a favorable destination for relaxation and travel in both summer and winter. The opening of the new hotel in Shamakhi will contribute to the development of tourism infrastructure, creating additional opportunities for the comfortable stay of local and foreign guests, more efficient utilization of the district’s tourism potential, and the development of the local economy.
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On September 17, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Nasimi Gardens complex in Shamakhi.
Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Anar Alakbarov briefed the head of state and the First Lady on the facilities and services available at the complex.
The Nasimi Gardens complex is a newly commissioned facility in Shamakhi district designed to provide residents and visitors with leisure and recreational opportunities.
The complex was established with the aim of contributing to tourism development in Shamakhi district, increasing the region’s tourism potential, preserving the area’s natural character, and creating a comfortable environment for family recreation and leisure.
Operating as a multifunctional tourism, cultural and recreational project, the Nasimi Gardens complex features various leisure facilities, family entertainment infrastructure, artworks on different themes, and catering establishments.
The complex’s three-story main building serves as its information and tourism center. Visitors can obtain information here about the facilities, tourist routes and services available at Nasimi Gardens. The building also houses the Capybara Cafe and a souvenir shop, providing visitors with opportunities to spend their time comfortably and efficiently.
A museum with a rich collection documenting the ancient and modern history and cultural heritage of Shamakhi has been established in another four-story building. The building also houses the main restaurant hall, an event hall and a spacious terrace.
The Magic Village section of the complex consists of themed houses built in the style of hobbit homes, the Honey Nest cafe, a children’s cafe, a spacious children’s playground, and a 9-meter-high observation tower. The houses are equipped with all the amenities required for comfortable living and are designed to accommodate tourists throughout the year.
The complex is home to Capybara Land, the first specialized capybara farm in Azerbaijan. Visitors can observe, touch and feed the animals at close range.
More than 100 works of art and installations created by Azerbaijani and foreign artists and sculptors are displayed throughout the complex. The site also features a modern-style monument installation dedicated to prominent Azerbaijani poet Imadaddin Nasimi. Standing 21 meters tall, the installation is notable for its scale and can be seen from many parts of Shamakhi.
The Nasimi Gardens complex also includes a residential area comprising 20 cottages, a reception building and a swimming pool.
A mosque is also located within the complex.
More than 150,000 trees and plants have been planted across the site, including pine trees, vineyards, various ornamental plants and paulownia, considered one of the fastest-growing tree species in the world.
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On September 17, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the inauguration of the Pirgulu Park hotel in Shamakhi.
Fariz Abbaszade, a representative of Moderngroup LLC, briefed the head of state and the First Lady on the hotel’s facilities.
The hotel, constructed in the Pirgulu settlement, is located near the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory. Covering an area of 16 hectares, the complex comprises two hotel buildings. One of the buildings has a capacity of 188 beds, while the other offers 172 beds. The facility features 175 rooms of various categories and two cottages, accommodating up to 366 guests simultaneously. The complex also houses restaurants, cafes, and a 160-seat hall for meetings and training sessions. A congress building with a capacity of 600 people, a children's entertainment center, and an amphitheater have also been built on the grounds.
The sustainable and comprehensive development of Azerbaijan's tourism sector is one of the priority areas of state policy. Alongside the country's rich natural resources, ancient historical and cultural heritage, and unique climatic diversity, state-level efforts to develop the tourism industry have made Azerbaijan an attractive destination for tourists from around the world.
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On September 17, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva inspected the conservation works carried out at the Pir Omar Sultan shrine in Shamakhi.
The historical Pir Omar Sultan shrine is located in the village of Avakhil, Shamakhi district. Initial archaeological excavations conducted at the site revealed the remains of a 14th-century tomb and artifacts confirming that it belonged to Pir Omar Avakhili, the founder of the Khalwatiyya order.
During their visit to Shamakhi in 2020, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the shrine and issued instructions for conservation works to be carried out on the monument.
The remnants of the shrine, constructed from river stone and rock, have been conserved with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Eight graves were discovered and restored, including that of Pir Omar Avakhili inside the shrine and others around its perimeter. To protect the shrine and its surrounding area following the conservation works, a protective wall was built using matching stone materials. An octagonal metal canopy structure, 16 meters in height, was installed over the wall. A walking path was also created within the conserved area for visitors. Special attention was paid during the execution of the works to avoid damaging the natural environment or the surrounding graves.
The restoration of this sanctuary is part of comprehensive state measures aimed at preserving religious and historical monuments. The conservation of the Pir Omar Sultan shrine with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation reflects the Foundation’s substantial contribution to these state-level efforts across the country.
During the inspection, the head of state and the First Lady were also briefed on the completed restoration works at the Kalakhana Tombs Complex in Shamakhi district.
Eight of the nine 17th-century tombs belonging to the complex, located in the village of Kalakhana, have survived to the present day, while one has suffered severe damage.
Restoration and conservation works were carried out on this historical monument with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture. The restoration efforts, which also involved international experts, covered seven tombs within the Kalakhana complex.
