Fuzuli Region

History and Geography

The Fuzuli region measures 1,390 square kilometers (864 square miles) and lies at the southeastern foot of the Lesser Caucasus Mountain Range. The Fuzuli district covers the territory from the southeastern slopes of the Karabakh mountain range to Araz River. The region boasts rich archeological discoveries. The capital of the region is the city of Fuzuli, which is currently uninhabited.

Cultural Highlights

The Fuzuli region was established in 1963 as one of the Republic of Azerbaijan’s administrative units. It is named after the Turkic poet Füzuli (1483-1556).

The region boasts caves that hold evidence of early humanoid habitation as far back as one million years ago. In fact, the most ancient metallic findings in the southern Caucasus were discovered here.

Karakepektepa Monument
Karakepektepa is an ancient settlement located not far from Fuzuli City, in the southwestern part of the Lesser Caucasus. The monument is a truncated conical shape high hill and is an archeological site containing work tools, weapons, decorations, and a large collection of ceramic and metallic artifacts.

Karghabazar Caravansary
Located 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Fuzuli, the village of Karkhabazar is an ancient trading settlement. Within Karkhabazar are the ruins of a caravansary, a roadside inn along a major trading route. Ruins of baths, a grave dating from the 2nd century, and a tomb dating from the 13th century as well as monuments dating back to the Safavid period from 1501-1736 remain in Karghabazar. The Haji Giyasaddin’s Mosque, built in 1682 and a caravansary built in 1684 are evidence of its rich history. The Karkhabazar Caravansary (pictured, above) is a valuable example of caravanserais in Azerbaijani architecture.

Mir Ali Tomb
The tower-shape tomb raised on a hill in Ashaghi Veysalli Village of the Fuzuli region is known among locals as the Mir Ali Tomb. Although there is no inscription or ornamentation on the tomb, its construction technique and structural-spatial concept indicate that this tomb was built during the reign of the Ilkhanids (late 13th – early 14th century).