CULTURE
Shusha Castle
![Shusha Castle](/files/2022/1/1200x630/16464079239161854_1200x630.jpg)
Baku, March 4, AZERTAC
Shusha Castle implies the castle walls embracing the Shusha city of Azerbaijan - the pearl of Karabakh, which was liberated from Armenia's decades-long illegal occupation on November 8, 2020, and declared as the “Cultural Capital of Azerbaijan” by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Taking into account the unfavourable geographical position of Bayat and Shahbulag castles, Panahali Khan, the Khan of Karabakh, enacted a decree on reconstruction of Shusha castle in 1750, and the centre of the Karabakh khanate was transferred to Shusha castle. After the reconstruction, the castle was for a long time named Panahabad in the sources.
Shusha Castle is one of the most beautiful pieces of the Azerbaijani architecture. The castle was constructed in Arran style of architecture. The castle has three gates. The main gate was facing north towards the road to Ganja, and was therefore named Ganja Gate.
Ganja gate is distinguished by its architectural features. The castle has a circular guard towers. At close quarters of the castle there is a bridge of fine architectural qualities connecting the castle with outside world. The bridge is known as Gala Bridge (“Gala” means castle).
Under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has liberated its occupied lands in response to the Armenian military aggression, including the city of Shusha - the crown of Karabakh.
In 2021, according to the President Ilham Aliyev’s instructions, the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture started the necessary planning and design work to restore and reconstruct Shusha, a city of special historical, cultural, and strategic importance in Azerbaijan, to revive the city and ensure its future development.
One of the important projects organized by the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture since the beginning of 2021 in cooperation with relevant agencies, local and foreign experts was the project for the restoration and conservation of the Fortress Walls of Shusha.