Shaki

Shaki

Shaki is a city in the northwestern part of Azerbaijan, bounded by the district of the same name. It lies in the southern part of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range, 240 km from Baku. According to Azerbaijani historians, the name of the city can be traced back to the Saka people, who settled in the 7th century BC in the territory of present-day Azerbaijan and populated it for several centuries. The city center and the Palace of the Shaki Khans were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019 for its unique architecture and its history as an important trading center along the Silk Road. The Palace of the Shaki Khans in Shaki was the summer home of the Shaki Khans. It was built by Muhammed Hasan Khan in 1797. The palace served as the residence of the Khans in charge of the control of Shaki. The district’s climate is influenced by different air masses, cyclones and anticyclones, and local winds. Arctic and mild air masses arrive in Shaki in winter causing temperatures to rise. In summer, mountain winds form local winds in Shaki. This is due to the pressure difference between the mountains and the valley. Shaki has one of the highest densities of cultural resources and monuments spanning 2700 years of Azerbaijani history. The city has always played a central role in Azerbaijani art, and architecture of Azerbaijan in general.