Gallery
Description
Property Name: Shaki Caravanserai
Inventory No: 994-177-2
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2009-03-09
Country (State party): Azerbaijan
Province : Sheki
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 41° 11′ 54.32″ N
47° 10′ 37.75″ E
Historic Period: 18th century, 1st half
Year of Construction:
Style:
Original Use: Caravanserai
Current Use: Hotel
Architect: Unknown
Significance
The city of Sheki is located 380 km to the west of Baku close to Georgian border. This city was famous for its craftsmen and merchants, as it was a trade center. Merchants and traders from the countries of the Great Silk Way used to gather there. Therefore, caravanserais were a prominent building type in Sheki. In the 18th and 19th centuries, there were 5 big caravanserais in this city. Only two of these have survived: The Shaki Caravanserai and the Lower Caravanserai, which were both constructed in the 18th century. The Upper Caravanserai covers an area about 6000 square meters.
Selection Criteria
v. to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
The Upper Caravanserai is restored and now used as a hotel and restaurant.
References
Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture and Tourism Website: http://mct.gov.az