Kalakhana Mausoleums: A timeless legacy carved in stone VIDEO
Shamakhi, November 5, AZERTAC
The latest feature in AZERTAC’s “If I Were a Tourist” column focuses on the Kalakhana Mausoleums.
The village of Kalakhana, located in the Shamakhi district, attracts both domestic and international tourists throughout the year. Its main attraction is the 17th-century Kalakhana Mausoleum Complex.
The journey to the village begins with a turn off the Baku–Shamakhi–Yevlakh highway towards Goylar village. After travelling approximately nine kilometres, visitors arrive in Kalakhana.
Located nine kilometres south of Shamakhi, the complex covers an area of 4.6 hectares and comprises nine mausoleums. Their construction is believed to date back to the mid-17th century. According to some researchers, all nine structures were built at the same time by a single architect.
The mausoleums feature an octagonal-prism design and are built of rubble stone. The edges of their entrance portals are adorned with finely carved stone frames. Inside, the floors paved with aglay stone and centrally placed square stone blocks, measuring 35–40 centimetres in height, are particularly noteworthy.
Although the entrances feature carved decorative motifs, an inscription has survived on only one of the mausoleums. It records that the monument was built in 1074 AH (1663–1664) by Abdulazim, son of Amir Ali, a master builder. The inscription also identifies Amir Ahmad, son of Sheikh Ibrahim, as the person buried there.
The ancient cemetery surrounding the complex is also of considerable historical significance. It contains numerous stone tombstones bearing inscriptions, some of which were transported to Baku in the mid-20th century. Today, they are displayed in the square in front of the Maiden Tower.
Five of the tombs are enclosed by fences, while the entrances to all nine mausoleums face east.
The Kalakhana Mausoleums remain an important part of Azerbaijan’s historical heritage and a fine example of Shirvan-Absheron architecture.
Other news in this section
