Located on the slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range, Guba is a paradise tourist destination in Azerbaijan.

Overview

Guba is a small city located in Quba-Khacmaz district of Azerbaijan on the north-eastern slopes of Shahdag ridge about 168 km away from Baku not far from Russian border. Now it is a paradise tourism destination in Azerbaijan with a population of about 23 thousand people. Guba district considered a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to the capital, combination of a very good climate, the vicinity of a forest zone and the Caspian coast along the mountains and excellent fauna was exploited by the construction of large numbers numerous tourist facilities and resorts in the area. Most of Azerbaijan’s scenic highlights lie in the spectacular, snow-capped Caucasus mountains or their luxuriantly forested foothills plentiful of springs and beautiful nature spots. In spite of a large number of various fruit and vegetable species growing in the district every Azerbaijani first associates Guba with its apple orchards.  A fair scattering of modestly historic buildings remain from that period and today Quba’s wooded hinterland is becoming a popular spot for Baku weekenders, thanks to its distant horizon of snow-topped mountains and a comparatively cool summer climate. Due to their amazing nature, this region has become a favorite place not only for visitors from abroad but also for the Baku citizens who manage to escape from the frantic pace of the metropolis. These places are famous for their waterfalls. Guba is called apple garden

Landscape of Quba

Quba located along the banks of the river Gudialchay 600 m above sea level. Famous for carpets and apple orchards. The tops, gorges, cliffs and, of course, covered with eternal snow and glaciers and majestic Shahdag (4243 m). Guba – famous with its waterfalls, springs, mountain streams with thickets of sea buckthorn, blackberry and barberry on the banks, apple, cherry and peach orchards. Guba is a small town but present territory of Guba district, occupying northwest mountainsides of the Greater Caucasus are very picturesque and one can immerse into its beauty just outside the town. The tops, gorges, cliffs nui, of course, covered by snow and glaciers the majestic Shahdag (4243 m). Guba – it is waterfalls, springs, mountain streams with thickets of sea buckthorn, blackberry and barberry on the banks, apple, cherry and peach orchards.The immensely rich flora of the district includes broad spectrum of herbal plants – hawthorn, juniper, balsam, nightshade, valerian, plantain, sally-bloom, althea, ephedra, laserwort etc. a comparatively cool summer climate.

Culture

According to archaeological materials and written sources, carpet weaving in Azerbaijan was still practiced in the Bronze Age (late II – early I millennium BC). Guba  also is a center of carpet weaving, since this zone have been famous with its carpets ‘Chichi”, “Sirt Chichi”, “Gimil”, “Dzhimi”, ‘Erfi” that can be found in many museums and private collections around the world. In the local Museum of History one can learn about the history of the town and Guba Khanate as well as about famous people that brought fame to this region.

Quba attractions

Also remained in the town preserved are such historical monuments as the mosque of Sakine Khanum, Juma mosque, mausoleum of the 16th century and ancient eastern-type baths. Not far from Quba Laza and Xınalıq are two Azerbaijan’s most magnificent  mountain villages are located. Located at an altitude of 2500 meters the village Khinalig is  unique. Isolated by mountains difficult to reach local residents rarely in contact with the neighbors, so preserved intact their ancient unlike the rest of the language.Where the mountains touch the clouds a new road which will greatly simplify their life has been built. It is talking only about 2 thousand people that is only the Khynalyg During his identity Khinalig included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. History remains a mystery age and purpose of some items have not yet been able to determine. Caucasian hospitality is not a tradition but a way of life. There are  many legends  about Khinalig.

Red settlement of Quba

Red Settlement (Qırmızı Qəsəbə) is another unique place on the map of Guba region. For many centuries of its existence, Red settlement was recognized as the center of development and preservation of the material and spiritual culture of the Mountain Jews. The story of Krasnaya Sloboda begins in 1722, when Jews were granted the right to settle in those places. 1758 died -Ali Hussain Khan and ruler of Guba khanate became his son – Fatali Khan. He singled out the Jews the land promised security. Before the revolution of 1917 the township was called Jewish settlement, 1926 – Krasnaya Sloboda. It is administratively a separate town in which live only mountain Jews, the bulk of the Jewish Diaspora in Azerbaijan. Sloboda has eleven synagogues but now there are only seven now. All Krasnaya Sloboda  synagogues  were built  by one architect – Hillel Ben Haim.

At that time Jews were invited for settling in Guba, on the left bank of Kudial-Chai River. Initially the settlement was called Jewish community; in 1926 it was renamed to Red community. On the right bank of the Muslims live, it actually is Guba , on the left, in the village of Krasnaya Sloboda Mountain Jews.

The Jews who settled in Sloboda, came from the surrounding plain and mountain villages. Each fraternity has built a quarter (mahala) with its synagogue. Because of this, each resident knows Sloboda, from what quarter it came from and where his ancestors had come. And in the village are many beautiful mansions, walls and roofs are richly decorated with images of the Star of David and menorah.On the right bank of the Muslims live, it actually is Quba, on the left, in the village of Krasnaya Sloboda Mountain Jews.