http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/michaelasanda-2552454-azerbaijan23/
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/michaelasanda-2552454-azerbaijan23/
Sheki is one of the most famous and ancient places of Azerbaijan. Situated 700 m (2297 ft.) above sea level like an amphitheatre surrounded by the mountains and forests of oak trees, this ancient city was long famed as a silk centre and an important stop on the Great Silk Route
Djuma Mosque (18th century)The mosque, its minaret and the ancient cemetery today are protected by the state as important historical monuments
One of the peculiarities of Sheki is its red ceramic roof
tops. Historically all
the roof tops of the houses in Sheki were done in red
ceramic. Ceramics-
makers have always been working in Sheki and
continue doing so today
One of the most ancient settlements and cultural centres of Azerbaijan, Sheki was founded more than 2700 years ago at the southern slopes of the Major Caucasus Mountains Chain
The Church of Kish in the vicinity of Sheki are thought to be approximately 1,500 years old
During its millennial historical the town used to be devastated many times, so the most part of the historic and architectural monuments currently preserved are dated to the 16th-19th centuries
Construction of caravanserai is dated back to the 18th-19th centuries AD
Swift development of trade in the Middle Ages enhanced importance of caravanserai existing in the territory of Azerbaijan at that time and favored construction of new ones. Generally caravanserai were built in form of castles with one gate, closing of which made them impregnable during dangerous incidents. Since 1988, the lower caravanserai is used as a hotel complex
In the 18th - 19th centuries 5 big
caravanserais were active in Sheki. Only two
of them have survived
Dancers in Sheki
Shaki is also known for its fine needlework. As early as 200 years ago, shoes, pillowcases, and other decorated items
were sold in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and even
Western Europe.
During a visit to Shaki, French novelist
Alexandre Dumas was fascinated by the
decorative needlework. He wrote, "The charm of this needlework is in the way it is carried out: a
dark, monotone background (usually
velvet or broadcloth), a special awl and colorful
silken threads. The masters demonstrated
extraordinary skills imprinting designs on the
fabric."
Text: Internet
Pictures: Sanda Foişoreanu & Internet
Copyright: All the images belong to their authors
Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu
www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda
Sound: Aziza Mustafa Zadeh - Shamans