Azerbaijan > Chirag-gala

Chirag-gala

A long time ago, there was a strong wall similar to its Great Chinese analogue, but located hundred kilometers to the north of Baku. It started by the sea and stretched across the entire coastal plain up into the mountains to reach the powerful fortress called 'Chirag-gala' (which means ‘Torch-tower'). The remaining walls of the torch-fortress are a living memory of the Sasanids' rule (V-VII centuries) when mighty rulers decided to construct a defensive "stone belt" to secure the northern borders of the country against invasions of nomads. The wall served for defense purposes and for sending alert signals to Absheron (Baku) and farther to all the neighbouring regions of ancient aijan. It also defended the passes to the Great Silk Road.

There is a health resort called "Chirag-gala" and a healing water spring not far from the fortress located art 1000 m above sea level. Tourists and resort guests climb up to the mountain top for the single purpose of admiring panorama of woods and valleys, unfolding at the top of the ancient bastions of the fortress.