Стр. 26 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

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Gazakh DistrictGazakh istrict
The Gazakh district is located in the northern
foothills of the Lesser Caucasus in the west
of Azerbaijan. Gazakh shares a boundary
with Georgia on the north and west and with
Armenia in the south and southwest. The
south and southwest sections of the region are
covered with low mountains. The height of
this area reaches approximately 1300 meters
at Odundag. The climate is warm to hot in
summer and dry in winter. The Kur, Injasu,
Agstafa, and Khram Rivers flow through the
region. Throughout the Lesser Caucasus there
are mountainous forests while tugay forest
grow along the banks of the Kur River.
Goyazan Mountain is considered the symbol
of Gazakh. This natural geological monument
formed as a result of volcanic eruption stands
alone, separated from other mountains. The
ruins of large and ancient dwellings and a
stronghold of seven towers stand at the bottom
and in the foothills of this mountain. The
relatively flat pastures of the area point to it
a place of first human settlement. It is said
that the people of this region used to make
a fire on the side of this mountain in ancient
times during holidays or when enemies were
attacking.
There are many different mythes and legends
about the Goyazan toponym, but the most
convincing explanation comes from “Goylere
bash vuran” to “goy ezen.”
The grey and white Avey Mountain Range
is located in an area of the Lesser Caucasus
beetwen Georgia and the Gazakh district, 12
kilometers from Dash Salahli village. There
are still vestiges of a settlement from the Stone
Age here, including ancient temples cut from
rock and approximately 30 artificial temples.
This includes an ancient Caucasian Albanian
temple at the top of the mountain. Based on
the name “Avey,” it is believed to have been
a moon temple. Worshipping and praying to
the moon was widespread among the Turkic
tribes in ancient times and various architectural
monuments were constructed under their
auspices. Many of these monuments can be
found inside and around Avey Mountain.
“Damjili bulagi” is at the bottom of Avey
Mountain and located a in very picturesque
area. This area was called “Damjili” because of
the water drops that ran through natural cracks
in the rocks. Pure, clean, and cold water filtered
through at a total height of approximately 1000
meters, and seeped into a spring after gathering
in a basin at the bottom of the rock.
The total area of “Damjili magara” is nearly
360 square kilometers with a length of 17
meters and is located in the area of “Yatag
yeri,” in the southeast area of Avey Mountain,
stretching from the village of Dash Salahli to
the Khram River. Avey Mountain contains
the largest semi-circle cave in Azerbaijan. The
front side of the cave has been destroyed. The
height of the opposite side is four meters.
Archeological digs in this area during 1957 and
Saddle bag. Wool. Flat weave. 19th century.
Gazakh - Borchaly group. From a private collection.