Since ancient times, Karabakh - like all the regions of the Kura and Aras rivers in the Caucasus - has been a center of civilization and culture, and many ancient monuments dating back to the Caucasian Albanian (Aran) period from the fourth century BC until the beginning of the eighth century, and the subsequent eras remain Azeri, Armenian, Mongolian and Turkish until modern times, remaining in the area, which is described as being more like an open museum that includes many monasteries, churches, mausoleums, mosques and ancient houses.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared the city of Shusha as the "cultural capital" of the country, after it was restored from Armenia, in a meeting held the day before yesterday, Tuesday, with Minister of Culture Anar Karimov.

Aliyev noted that the year 2021 coincides with the 880th anniversary of the birth of the Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi, announcing that the poet will be named to the new year.

He referred to the cultural richness enjoyed by his country, and instructed the minister on preservation and reviving culture and language.

He also stressed the importance of reviving the traditional Azerbaijani musical arts, and preserving religious buildings and architectural artifacts, pointing out that more than 60 mosques were demolished in the lands occupied by Armenia.

"No international institution has condemned Armenia in this regard. As for us, we protect the Armenian churches. We have no problem with the Armenian people, and the Armenians who live in Azerbaijan are our citizens," he added.

He added, "I declare Shusha as the cultural capital of Azerbaijan. The city of Shusha deserves it. I think it can be considered the cultural capital, not only of Azerbaijan, but of the whole region."

Aliyev explained that restoration work has begun in the city to restore it to its original origin, stressing the need to rebuild the historical and cultural monuments destroyed by Armenia in a manner consistent with its original origin.

"We will establish an international airport in Fozuli province, and the landing and take-off routes will be completed this year, at least. It is also close to the city of Shusha," he said.

On May 8, 1992, Armenian forces occupied the city of Shusha, which is considered a symbol of Azerbaijani history and culture, as well as its strategic importance due to its dominant geographical position in the region and its location on the road leading to Khankendi, the largest city in Karabakh, before Azerbaijan announced its liberation on November 8. November 2020.

The Khanate of Karabakh

The Karabakh Khanate (1747-1805) marked a new page in the history of architecture in the area in which the city of Shusha became the center of the khans.

The construction of Shusha Castle began in 1753, and not far from the main gate on the hill, the palace and fortress of Banahali Khan, the founder of the Khanate, represented the pinnacle of the urban development of the city.

The residential buildings in Shusha were built in a style characteristic of Karabakh, most of them are two-storey and face the courtyard, with balconies on wooden poles. The prominent Azerbaijani composer Aziz Hajebkov, Azerbaijani opera singer, Bulbul, and others.

In addition to these monuments, there were dozens of mosques in Shusha in the 19th century, the most important of which was a mosque built at the expense of Jovkhar Agha, daughter of Ibrahim Khan, and designed by the famous architect Karbalai Safi Khan. Thus, Shusha - which was built by Banahali Khan 250 years ago - was the largest monument in history. Culture, urban planning and architecture of Azerbaijan, and an open-air museum has been considered a historical and architectural reserve.

This stage also marked the mass resettlement by Russia of Armenians from Anatolia and Persia in the regions of Karabakh, Yerevan and Nakhchivan, and the Russian Tsar decided in the decree of 1836 to abolish the Albanian character of the Gangasar Monastery, and with the support of the Tsarist government, the construction of the Armenian Orthodox and Gregorian churches began.

By the decision of the Tsar, the medieval Albanian church monuments were destroyed, and many inscriptions written in it were replaced. The Armenian Gregorian Church not only absorbed the heritage of Albanian Christianity, but did everything in its power to accommodate the Albanian population and their culture.