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If Shusha is the jewel of Karabakh, then Aghdam is the main entrance door.
Sadly, there is no Aghdam city now, only Aghdam’s territory and its ruins, witnesses of the most terrible vandalism of the 20th and 21st centuries.
If Shusha is the jewel of Karabakh, then Aghdam is the main entrance door.
Sadly, there is no Aghdam city now, only Aghdam’s territory and its ruins, witnesses of the most terrible vandalism of the 20th and 21st centuries.
In 2008, Lonely Planet magazine dubbed Aghdam the “Hiroshima of the Caucasus” and Aghdam was added to the list of “Ghost Cities” by the online version of Al Jazeera in 2010.
Aghdam is also home town of Azerbaijani football powerhouse - FK Qarabag.
The stadium of the Qarabag was at the Imarat (the Palace) and called Imaret Stadium.
Panakhali khan, a well known Karabakh ruler and military leader, built the Imarat from white stones 280 years ago.
Panakhali khan, a well known Karabakh ruler and military leader, built the Imarat from white stones 280 years ago.
Aghdam became a town as early as 1747, located in the centre of Karabakh on the northeastern slopes of the Karabakh mountain range, to the west of the Kur-Araz lowland and 358 kilometres from Baku.
The administrative region of Aghdam was originally formed on 8 August 1930 following the occupation of Azerbaijan by Soviet Russia.
On 12 June 1993, the Armenian and Russian occupying forces, aided by terrorist groups, began a large-scale attack on Aghdam.
Aghdam was blockaded on all sides and fired on until 23 July; shells rained down on the city like a hailstorm and despite the selfless resistance of local self-defence groups and the Azerbaijani army, the city of Aghdam passed fully into enemy hands the same day.
Most of the Aghdam region was occupied by Armenia, the city and surrounding villages ravaged and burned. Smoke was seen from 20 kilometres away.
As a result of the occupation of the Aghdam district, more than 6,000 people have been killed, thousands wounded or disabled and over 126,000 people was driven from their native land.
The Human Rights Watch reported that the destruction and burning of Aghdam was not done by disorderly troops, but was planned and implemented by the Armenian leadership.
Unfortunately, the ensuing occupation has lasted for 27 years.
But not anymore. Today Aghdam became free!
Unfortunately, the ensuing occupation has lasted for 27 years.
But not anymore. Today Aghdam became free!
Aghdam was rich in ancient historical monuments too.
Archaeological research conducted in the territory in the 1950s proved the existence of ancient human settlements in Aghdam, dating 6,000-8,000 years ago.
Archaeological research conducted in the territory in the 1950s proved the existence of ancient human settlements in Aghdam, dating 6,000-8,000 years ago.
There were hundreds of historical, architectural and artistic monuments in the district of Aghdam, too many to name them all but they include:
the Uzarlik Tepe Monument in the city of Aghdam, the Gutlu Sari Musa oglu Mausoleum in Xachinderbend village (dating from 1314), the tomb and stone monuments in Kangarli village (14th century), the tombs, mosque (18th century) and the Xanoglu tomb (17th century) in Papravend
Aghdam was famous for its Bread Museum, built in Soviet times, as well as a popular teahouse, built by the celebrated scientist Khudu Mammadov.
Among the most valuable exhibits were samples of bread brought from Leningrad and Stalingrad under siege during World War II.
Among the most valuable exhibits were samples of bread brought from Leningrad and Stalingrad under siege during World War II.
Most of these monuments left on Aghdam have been completely or partly destroyed. Museums have been looted, monuments and artefacts stolen and transported to Armenia and elsewhere.
Victims of Armenian vandalism include the Museum of Bread, the Museum of History and Geography, the museum to famed tar player Gurban Pirimov (pictured), and the Art Gallery.
The Juma Mosque, an ancient architectural and religious monument in the centre of the city of Aghdam - the only mosque in this region – also suffered brutal attacks; the minaret has been badly damaged, the ceiling destroyed and the wall inscriptions completely erased.
Aghdam is famous for its prominent people:
* Allahverdi Baghirov, football coach and Azerbaijan's National Hero
* Jeyhun Mirzayev (pictured), actor and film director
* Gadir Rustamov, singer
* Rimma Abdullayeva, film director
* Sara Gadimova, singer
* Vugar Nadirov, footballer
* Allahverdi Baghirov, football coach and Azerbaijan's National Hero
* Jeyhun Mirzayev (pictured), actor and film director
* Gadir Rustamov, singer
* Rimma Abdullayeva, film director
* Sara Gadimova, singer
* Vugar Nadirov, footballer
Aghdam is also home to the famous Karabakh horse, known for their endurance and mild temperament.
Armenians may have destroyed Aghdam but they couldn't destroy Aghdam's spirit.
We will built the city and it will rise from the ashes because love always beats hate.
We will built the city and it will rise from the ashes because love always beats hate.
