Zagatala Historical and Cultural Reserve

Zaqatala Historical and Cultural Reserve
Address: AZ6212, Republic of Azerbaijan, Zaqatala city, Gala duzu area, 12 Sulh Street
Total area: 11.5 hectares
Usage format: exhibition site

The reserve was established by Resolution No. 22 of the Council of Ministers of the Azerbaijan SSR dated January 24, 1984.

Zaqatala is located on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, in the Ganikh-Ayrichay valley. The Zaqatala Fortress was built in the early 19th century by order of Russian field marshal Paskevich. The fortress was constructed for strategic military control and defense purposes.

The triangular-shaped fortress is naturally protected by steep slopes on the eastern and western sides, while the northern side is level with the ground. A defensive moat 10 meters wide and 5 meters deep surrounds the fortress. The total length of the walls is approximately 3,000 meters, with a height ranging from 3 to 5 meters. The fortress has three main gates and includes 12 locally registered historical monuments.

Although besieged multiple times, the fortress was never captured. The events of the 1830 Zaqatala uprising and the siege by Imam Hamzat Bek of Dagestan are significant chapters in its history.

Today, the Zaqatala State Art Gallery operates within the fortress. The films “The Invincible Battalion” and “Javad Khan” were filmed here.