“If I Were a Tourist”: Conquering the Sky, Mount Goyazan… VIDEO
Gazakh, June 19, AZERTAC
AZERTAC’s “If I Were a Tourist” feature: The next destination is Mount Goyazan.
One of the must-see and most visited sites in the country is Mount Goyazan, located in the Gazakh district. Every year, this place attracts thousands of tourists due to its combination of historical significance and natural beauty. Although Goyazan Mountain, nestled in the “Goyazan” branch of the “Avey” State Historical and Cultural Reserve, is not very high, this natural monument captivates visitors with its pristine and mysterious beauty.
There are intriguing stories and legends about this mountain. On the slope of the mountain, there is a castle and fortification walls dating back to the 5th century, which have been preserved to this day.
There are numerous versions regarding the name of Mount Goyazan, located in the village of Abbasbeyli. Experts, based on ancient Turkic words and expressions, claim that the mountain’s name is derived from the words “Göy ozan” or “Ozan village.” Some explain it as “Küy əzən.” According to poets and writers, the name of the mountain means “Göy delen” (Soaring to the sky), “Göyə baş vuran” (Conquering the sky), or “Göy əzən” (Sky crushing). It is said that this magnificent natural monument was formed by a volcanic eruption 60–65 million years ago.
In 2021, research work was carried out in the Goyazan area under the scientific leadership of archaeologist Parviz Gasimov, a scientific associate of the ANAS Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology and Doctor of Philosophy in History. “Archaeological excavations were inherently exploratory. The excavations were conducted in two directions — in the Goyazan Castle area and at the northeastern foot of the mountain. Goyazan Castle is one of the few castles in Azerbaijan located on a strategic road. In-depth investigation is essential here. On the other hand, sections of the monument’s walls have been buried beneath the ground over time. Its cleaning and restoration can open up a great opportunity for the development of archaeological tourism. Because such a castle is very rare in the region,” said Parviz Gasimov.
The height of this majestic volcanic mountain is more than 800 meters above sea level. The peak of Mount Goyazan is not steep but is shaped like a platform. Saadat Aliyeva, Director of the Avey State Historical and Cultural Reserve, noted that there was an Albanian Christian temple on Mount Goyazan in the Early Middle Ages, and its remains still exist today: “The relief of the area where the historical monuments of the reserve are located is so rich that various types of tourism can be developed here. For example: ecological, archaeological, adventure, and other types of tourism. The monuments on Mount Goyazan belong to different periods. There is a need for consistent scientific and archaeological excavations here, and it is planned to continue these studies in the future.”
Archaeological excavations in the area have revealed Christian graves dating back to the Caucasian Albanian period. The discovery of a cist burial indicates the existence of a large Christian necropolis of Caucasian Albanians in the area. The well-polished stone box tomb (a cist burial) represents a burial in a style typical of Albanian Christianity in the Early Middle Ages.
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