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City in Ganja-Dashkasan, Azerbaijan
Photo: Urmen19, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ganja (Azeri: Gəncə) is a city in the Ganja Region of northwestern Azerbaijan. As a historic city, Ganja was the seat of the Atabegs, and later, its khanate under Persian suzerainty.
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Heydar Aliyev Park Complex
It is claimed to be the world's 5th largest park complex, and the largest in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus. The area spreads across 450 hectares. (Wikipedia lists 144 urban parks that are larger than 450 ha.) The arc de triomphe can be found at the very entrance. The complex contains many attractions for children, recreational and entertainment venues, and a bicycle rental.
The side of the square has remained the same as it was since the 16th century. The City Hall was built during the Soviet era. The building is a twin of the Tbilisi Parliament Hall.
Ganja Philharmonic Society
The Philharmony was built in 2016. There with the site of the castle with khan palace and city walls till the Russian siege in the 19th century. During the Soviet era all historical buildings were destroyed and Cinema Baku was built on the site of the castle. After Azerbaijan attained independence, the cinema was torn down to develop the Philharmony.
Russian Church of Alexander Nevsky
A Russian Orthodox church built in 1887 on the grounds of an ancient cemetery, dedicated to local Christians and Muslims likewise. In 1916 the church became a cathedral. Its style is Byzantine with bricks of the name "plinfa". Between 1935-38 it served as the museum of local history. Reopened in 1946, many former icons had survived the revolutionary phases, like the ones of St. Alexander Nevsky and Mary Magdalene.
They are very strict about dress code, so just forget about heading there if you wear shorts or a skirt
Butulkalı ev
House of Jafarovs family of Ganja. Created in 1967 by Ibrahim Jafarov in honour of his brother and all World War II soldiers who did not return home or died war fronts. Instead of using bricks and such, he used bottles for many parts of the house, like the walls. In total he used 48,000 bottles. He also used coloured stones from Sochi. He dedicated the house to his brother and the many other soldiers who died in World War II. A supposed picture of the brother is part of the beautiful walls of the house. You can contact his grandson Elshan who still lives in the house to tell their story. This is private house, but Jafarovs do not mind people taking façade pictures of house. Donations are welcome.
Juma Mosque
Centrally located, the mosque was built in 1606 based on the idea of Sheykh Baheddin. The second name stems from the ruler of this time, Shah Abbas Great, who ordered the construction of many mosques during his reign, like this one.
A medieval 17th-century bath, restored and open to public. The Vego hotel even has an underground tunnel going from the hotel to this bath.
Khan Bagi, Khan's Garden
The central city park is one of the oldest parks in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus, with 7 hectares of local and foreign trees, plants and flowers. Founded in 1700, it was named "Khan Bagi" in 1804 to honour the last ruler of Ganja, Javad Khan. The park was restored in 2010.
Javadkhan street
Good walking street in the heart of Old City of Ganja with fountains and street art monuments. There are many cozy cafes and souvenir stores.
Monument to Nizami Ganjavi
By making this monument, the author was granted the Stalin Prize.
Ozan Mosque
Tebriz str
Ozan street
Attarlar street
Kukla Teatri
Built in 1885 by the Germans, who moved to the city then. In 1897, about 100 Germans inhabited the city. The church was active until 1941 and later converted into the "State Puppet Theatre" by the Soviets, still serving that purpose.
The Nizami Mausoleum
Built in 1947 to honour the 12th-century poet Nizami Ganjavi. It was built on the grounds of a former mausoleum. It obtained its present form in 2013.
Ganja State Drama Theatre
4th floor of shopping mall.
Not cheap, but recommended.
Highly recommended and if you want to get into contact with the locals.
Cozy and relaxed.
Not as recommended as Old Ganja Hostel, but an alternative, if the former is full.
Gəncə Hotel
Shopping center.
Good choice of wines, cheese, high quality food.
By train
Ganja sits on one of the Azerbaijani primary rail lines running east–west through the country.
By bus or marshrutka
The city has the following bus stations:
By taxi
A taxi from/to Naftalan can be had for 25 manat.
By car
The city is served by the M2, R19, R20, R21, R50 and R51 highways.
By bus
30 manat available.
By taxi
A taxi can be convenient for the Heydar Aliyev Park, bus stations or Göygöl. Expect to pay 3 manat to/from any of the bus stations from/to the centre. Fares are generally ⅓–½ manat/km.
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Ganja · International · GNJ
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