Ganja: Red Brick Buildings, Parks and Culture

In the center of Ganja, Chokek Hamam and the Shah Abbas Mosque stand side by side. Both buildings date from 1606. Churches, mausoleums, museums and parks offer further perspectives on the city’s history and what it has to offer visitors today.

Architecture and City History

Chokek Hamam was built in 1606 at the behest of Safavid ruler Shah Abbas I. Its treatments include full-body scrubs, massages, broom treatments, a steam room, a sauna and Turkish baths. Check the current services before visiting. The Shah Abbas Mosque, also known as the Juma Mosque, was also built in 1606 at the behest of Shah Abbas. It was designed by the architect Sheikh Baha' al-Din al-Amili; red bricks and the style of the Aran School of Architecture define the building.

The Alexander Nevsky Church was built in 1887 on the site of an old cemetery. Its construction was funded by donations from local Orthodox Christians and Muslims. The red-brick church is built in the Byzantine style and is considered one of Azerbaijan’s oldest surviving Orthodox churches. The Javad Khan Mausoleum, meanwhile, was built in 2005 over Javad Khan’s grave: it is made of fired red bricks and belongs to the Aran architectural tradition. The Imamzadeh Mausoleum Complex was built in several phases from the 14th century onward around the tomb of a son of the fifth Shia Imam, Muhammed al-Baqir.

A more unusual building is the two-story Bottle House. It is considered a sight worth seeing and a photo opportunity. Ibrahim Jafarov completed it in 1967 as a shrine to his brother, who went missing during the Second World War. Check whether visits are possible before you travel.

The Nizami Ganjavi Mausoleum was restored in 1990–1991 and has protected-complex status. In front of the mausoleum, the Nizami Ganjavi Museum displays rare manuscripts and miniatures from Nizami’s Khamsa. Its conference hall is open to visitors interested in cultural and academic activities in Ganja; the program may vary. The Mahsati Ganjavi Center complements this literary perspective with books about the poet’s life and work, electronic materials in Azerbaijani, Russian and English, and publications on national music and folk art.

Parks, Recreation and Events

Khan Baghi Park is considered one of the first parks in the Caucasus and serves as a place of recreation for the residents of Ganja. The park is home to Yashil Theatre, an open-air venue for a variety of cultural events. The program may vary. The Ganjachay Park and Boulevard Complex is a modern urban space that combines recreation with a range of activities; it has a 1.7-kilometer cycle path.

Heydar Aliyev Park Complex offers walks among greenery and attractions for both children and adults. Its cycle path is 7 kilometers long. The two cycle paths mentioned therefore differ in length: 1.7 kilometers in the Ganjachay Complex and 7 kilometers in Heydar Aliyev Park Complex. Check locally to see whether the paths are available. The GanjLand entertainment complex includes attractions from various countries, a giant chessboard, 7D and 8D cinemas, the “Mustang” riding club, and football pitches that meet AFFA standards. Individual attractions may change.

Ganjasenet is another way to discover local craftsmanship: the fair takes place monthly. Visitors can view and buy handicrafts and speak directly with local artists and craftspeople. Check the current date before your visit.

City Life and Cuisine

The central and lengthy Javad Khan Street has been characterized by red brickwork for centuries. It is home to shops, cafés, restaurants, traditional teahouses, and associations for carpet weaving and painting. Traditionally prepared tea and Ganja pakhlava are also among the experiences on offer there; individual businesses may change. Ganja pakhlava is lighter in color than the Baku version and is baked on a copper sheet over coals. Another local specialty is Ganja dovga, a yogurt-based soup with at least seven different herbs.

Getting There and Finding a Hotel

Ganja lies on the railway line and highway between Baku and Tbilisi and has an international airport. An express train runs daily between Baku and Ganja. Check the current timetable before departure.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Ganja, start by considering the focus of your trip: historic buildings and collections call for different day plans than cycle paths, time in parks or culinary experiences. Use your interests as a guide and compare the locations of specific options with your own travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Ganja, Shaki, Shamkir, Baku, Absheron, Shamakhi, Khachmaz, Gabala.

For the broader travel overview: Azerbaijan.