This ancient Silk Road trading center sits in a green valley beneath the Greater Caucasus mountains, known for its silk production and 6th-century architecture.
In northwestern Azerbaijan, at the foot of the Greater Caucasus mountains, you'll find Sheki's narrow medieval streets lined with working silk workshops and active bazaars. Walk past 18th-century caravanserais where Silk Road merchants once traded their goods, or step into the Khan's Palace to see intricate colored glass mosaics created by local craftsmen. Stop at a local restaurant for a steaming bowl of piti stew, or try the city's famous halva made from centuries-old recipes.
The Khan's Palace
Built in 1762 without using a single nail, this UNESCO World Heritage palace will catch your eye with its intricate shebeke – geometric patterns made from thousands of colored glass pieces set in wooden lattices. Walk through six rooms to see vivid frescoes of battles and hunting scenes painted on the walls. The palace's design includes influences from Persian, Ottoman, and local architectural styles, a result of Sheki's location along important trade routes.
Exploring the Historic Center
The streets of Sheki's historic center follow their original 18th-century layout, with traditional houses topped by terracotta roof tiles. You can explore two large caravanserais from the Silk Road period – the Upper and Lower Caravanserai. The Upper Caravanserai now operates as a hotel, letting you sleep in the same rooms where merchants once rested. Walk through its stone-built courtyard where trading caravans gathered centuries ago.
Local Culinary Traditions
Try piti, Sheki's most famous dish – a lamb stew slow-cooked in individual clay pots with chickpeas and vegetables. Locals eat piti in two steps: first by mashing bread into the broth, then eating the meat and vegetables separately. Don't leave without tasting Sheki halva, made with layers of rice flour dough, crushed nuts, and spices. This local version has its own distinct taste, different from other Middle Eastern variations.
The Ancient Church of Kish
Take a trip to the village of Kish, 4 kilometers north of Sheki, to see a 1st-century church – one of the earliest Christian buildings in the Caucasus. The stone structure follows the architectural style of Caucasian Albania, an ancient kingdom that existed before modern Azerbaijan. Archaeologists have found Bronze Age burial sites and artifacts around the church grounds.
Getting to Sheki
You can reach Sheki from Baku's main bus terminal by marshrutka (minibus), with the journey taking 4-5 hours through the countryside. For a faster trip, take a taxi, though it costs more. Visit during spring or autumn when mild temperatures make exploring more comfortable and the surrounding mountain forests turn green or golden.
