Nakhchivan (city)

Nakhchivan(Azerbaijani:NaxçıvanAzerbaijani pronunciation:[nɑxtʃɯˈvɑn];Armenian:Նախիջևան,romanized:Nakhijevan) is the capital and largest city of the eponymousNakhchivan Autonomous Republic, atrue exclaveofAzerbaijan, located 450 km (280 mi) west ofBaku. The municipality of Nakhchivan consists of the city of Nakhchivan, the settlement ofƏliabadand the villages ofBaşbaşı,Bulqan,Haciniyyət,Qaraçuq,Qaraxanbəyli,Tumbul,Qarağalıq, andDaşduz.It is spread over the foothills ofZangezur Mountains, on the right bank of the Nakhchivan River at an altitude of 873 m (2,864 ft) above sea level.
The city's official Azerbaijani spelling is "Nakhchivan" (Azerbaijani:Naxçıvan).The name is transliterated from Persian as Nakhjavan (Persian:نخجوان).The city's name is transliterated from Russian as Nakhichevan' (Russian:Нахичевань) and from Armenian as Nakhijevan (Armenian:Նախիջևան,romanized:Naxiǰewan).
The city was first mentioned inPtolemy'sGeographyasNaxuana(Ancient Greek:Ναξουὰνα,Latin:Naxuana).The older form of the name isNaxčawan(Armenian:Նախճաւան).According to philologistHeinrich Hübschmann, the name was originally borne by the city and later given to the surrounding region.Hübschmann believed the name to be composed ofNaxičorNaxuč(probably a personal name) andawan, an Armenian word (ultimately of Iranian origin) meaning "place, town".
In the Armenian tradition, the name of the city is connected with the Biblical narrative ofNoah's Arkand interpreted as meaning "place of the first descent" or "first resting place" (as if deriving fromնախ,nax, 'first' andիջեւան,ijewan, 'abode, resting place') due to it being regarded as the site whereNoahdescended and settled after the landing of the Ark on nearbyMount Ararat.It was probably under the influence of this tradition that the name changed in Armenian from the olderNaxčawantoNaxijewan.Although this is a folk etymology,William Whistonbelieved Nakhchivan/Nakhijevan to be theApobatērion("place of descent") mentioned by the first-century Jewish historianFlavius Josephusin connection with Noah's Ark, which would make the tradition connecting the name with the Biblical figure Noah very old, predating Armenia's conversion to Christianity in the early fourth century.
In the Armenian tradition, Nakhchivan was founded byNoahafter theFlood, and was the place of his death and burial.According to the Armenian historianMovses Khorenatsi, KingTigranes IofArmeniasettledMedianprisoners of war at Nakhchivan in the second century BC.Nakhchivan is first mentioned inPtolemy'sGeographiaas Naxuana (Greek:Ναξουὰνα).
Nakhchivan was destroyed byShahanshahShapur IIin 363 and its Armenian and Jewish population was deported to Iran.EmperorHeracliustravelled through the city en route toAtropatenein 623 during theByzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628.
The Arab siege of Nakhchivan in 650AD ledTheodore Rshtunito conclude a truce.After the rebellion of 703ADMuhammad ibn Marwanhad the rebelnoblesburnt alive in churches in Nakhchivan andGoghtnin 705.Nakhchivan temporarily came under the control of theBagratid Kingdom of Armeniainc.900, but was swiftly taken byMuhammad ibn Abi'l-Saj.The city was the temporary refuge ofAtabegNusrat al-Din Abu Bakrafter his defeat at theBattle of Shamkorin 1195, and Nakhchivan was conquered by theKingdom of Georgiain 1197.
The city and its surroundings were ruled either directly or indirectly byZakarid Armeniafrom 1201 to 1350, but more often than not they only had partial independence and often were vassals of other Empires.In 1225, Nakhchivan was occupied by al-Maleka al-Jalāliya, daughter ofAtabegMuhammad Jahan Pahlavan.In 1236 Nakhchivan was occupied by theMongol Empireand later theIlkhanateforcing Zakarid Armenia to pay taxes to the Mongol lords as well as owing them loyalty and troops.Genoese merchants were known to trade in the city by 1280.The city was conquered byTimurin 1401,but was taken by KingGeorge VII of Georgiain 1405.
Nakhchivan was conquered byShahanshahIsmail Iin 1503.ShahanshahAbbas I of Persiareconquered Nakhchivan from theOttoman Empirein 1603–1604.Later the city served as the capital of theNakhichevan Khanate.
Nakhchivan Khanate was annexed to theRussian Empireper theTreaty of Turkmenchayin 1828.The city became the centre of theNakhichevan uezdof theErivan Governoratein 1849.In 1896, Nakhchivan had a population of 7,433, roughly two-thirds of which were Azeri-speaking Muslims and one-third Armenian Christians.According to the1897 census, Nakhchivan had the status of a county town (Russian:у. г. / уездный город,romanized:u. g. / uyezdny gorod).
After theFebruary Revolutionof 1917, asovietwas formed in Nakhchivan, but the city was under the control of theSpecial Transcaucasian Committeefrom March to November 1917, and its successor theTranscaucasian Commissariatfrom November 1917 to March 1918.Turkeyoccupied Nakhchivan from June until November,after which the city was occupied by British soldiers in January 1919,and a military governor was appointed to administer Nakhchivan.
It was decided that Nakhchivan would be granted to Armenia on 6 April 1919, and the city was annexed on 6 June 1919,however, some months later the city became the center of a regionalMuslim uprisingand pogrom against its Armenian inhabitants.Britain, France, Italy, and the US, with approval from Armenia and Azerbaijan, agreed on 25 October 1919 to appoint American Colonel Edmond D. Daily as General-Governor of Nakhchivan, elections would be held, and both Armenia and Azerbaijan would withdraw its forces from the territory.However, in March 1920, Turkish forces led byKâzım Karabekiroccupied Nakhchivan.
Soviet Russiatook control of Nakhchivan on 28 July 1920, and the city became part of the newly formedNakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.TheTreaty of Moscowof 16 March 1921, and later theTreaty of Karsof 21 October 1921, betweenSoviet UnionandTurkeyagreed thatNakhichevawould be an autonomous territory under the protection ofAzerbaijanand delimited its borders with Turkey.In February 1923, the city formed part of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Krai within theAzerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic(ASSR), but later became the capital of theNakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republicwithin the ASSR in March 1924.
When Azerbaijan declared independence from the Soviet Union, Nakhchivan remained part of theRepublic of Azerbaijan. Following the2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, atrilateral ceasefirewas signed between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. According to the agreement, Azerbaijan will gain a road access to Nakhchivan through Armenia which will be secured by Russian peacekeepers.
Since 9 June 2009, theBulqan,Qaraçuq,Qaraxanbəyli,TumbulandHaciniyyətvillages of theBabek Districtare included in the scope of the administrative-territorial unit of the Nakhchivan city.
The bishop ofMardpetakanresided at Nakhchivan,and the Armenian historianTovma Artsrunirecords Sahak Vahevuni as bishop of Nakhchivan and Mardpetakan and brother of Apusahak Vahevuni.
The city is spread over the foothills of Zangezur chain, on the right bank of theNakhchivan Riverat an altitude of almost 1,000 metres (3,300 feet). The floods and soil erosion spiked because of the decreased forest cover along riverbanks.As a result,reforestationprojects implemented in the city to encourage tree planting.
Nakhchivan has acontinentalsemi-arid climate(KöppenBSk) with short but cold, snowy winters and long, dry, very hot summers.
According to theState Statistics Committeeof Azerbaijan, the number of population of city was 63,8 thousand in 2000.
Traditionally, Nakhchivan was home to trade industry,handicraft,shoemakingandhatmakingby Azerbaijanians. These industries have been largely replaced. The restoration enterprises and development industry, liberalization of foreign trade and the extension of the customsinfrastructure, which has been largely responsible for Nakchivan'sgrowthin the last two decades, are now major parts of Nakchivan's economy.
The city has a wide range of cultural activities, amenities and museums. Heydar Aliyev Palace, which has a permanent local painting exhibition and a theatre hall for an audience of 1000 people, and a recently restored Soviet-time Opera Theatre where the Nakhchivan State Musical Drama Theatre realises theatre plays, concerts, musicals and opera.
Many of the city's cultural sites were celebrated in 2018 when Nakhchivan was designated an Islamic Culture Capital.
The city is homeMomine Khatun Mausoleum,Gulustan Mausoleum,Noah's Mausoleum,Garabaghlar Mausoleum,Yusif ibn Kuseyir Mausoleum,Imamzadeh mausoleumandMausoleum of Huseyn Javidmausoleums.
The main sight in the city is the heavily restored 12th-centuryMomine Khatun Mausoleum, also known as Atabek Gumbezi. Momine Khatun was the wife of EldegizidAtabekJahan Pahlivan, ruler of the Atabek Eldegiz emirate. The 10-sided monument is decorated with intricate geometrical motives andKufic script, it uses turquoise glazed bricks. It shares the neighbourhood with a statue of itsarchitect–Ajami Nakhchivani– and a bust ofHeydar Aliyev. Also from the 12th century and by the same architect, is the octagonal Yusuf Ibn Kuseir tomb, known asAtababa, half abandoned near the main cemetery.
In 1993, the white marblemausoleumofHussein Javidwas built. The Azerbaijani writer died in theGulagduringJoseph Stalin'sGreat Purge. Both the mausoleum and his house museum are located east of the theatre. Although being a recent construction, Huseyn Javid's mausoleum is of great iconic importance, representing the ability of the exclave to live despite the Armenian embargo and becoming a symbol of Nakhchivan itself.
The mausoleums of Nakhchivan were entered for possible inclusion in theList of World Heritage Sites,UNESCOin 1998 byGulnara Mehmandarova– president ofAzerbaijanCommittee ofICOMOS—International Council on Monuments and Sites.
Nakchivan’s signature cuisine includesshirin plov(sweet rice with gravy; made with mutton, hazelnuts, almonds and dried fruits), dastana, komba, tendir lavash and galin.
Lavash is made with flour, water, and salt. The thickness of the bread varies depending on how thin it was rolled out. Toasted sesame seeds and/or poppy seeds are sometimes sprinkled on before baking. It is impossible to imagine any table without bread in Azerbaijan and also in Nakhchivan. In connection with this, the assortment of bread in Nakhchivan is different; the tendir lavash as thin as paper, galin (thick), dastana, and komba (ash cake). If prepared to saj it was called lavash, "Juha salmag" – spread Juha, lavash bread on saj, and if prepared in the tandir, the "llavash yapmag" lavash bread stick. The fact is that it was necessary to stick lavash bread on the hot inner walls of the tandir.
it is impossible to fight with lavash bread, as the proverb reads "Gyaldi lavash – Bitdili Savas" – "Came lavash – the end of the war". There are many people’s ideological expressions about lavash "Yavash-yavash -pendir- lavash " "Quietly (slow) – cheese lavash " or "Khamrali hash – bagryna bass", "Khamraliev" (kind of bread) push to the chest, i.e. . lavash bread – eat slowly. "Of lavash folk sandwiches are made in a roll shape – durmek. In the village where children ran out to play or school they were supplied with these sandwiches. Inside durmeks – rolls was put butter and jam, cheese, cottage cheese and butter, cheese with herbs, potatoes, boiled eggs, etc."
Ashabi-Kahfis a sanctuary in a natural cave which is located in the eastern part of the city of Nakhchivan, between the mountains of Ilandag and Nahajir in Azerbaijan.Since ancient times Ashabi-Kahf is considered as a sacred place.It is known not only in Nakhchivan, but also in other regions of Azerbaijan and countries of the Middle East.Each year ten thousands of people make a pilgrimage to this place.
The city also has many historical museums, the literature museum ofNakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Nakhchivan State History Museum, The Nakhchivan State Carpet Museum, and the house museums ofJamshid NakhchivanskiandBahruz Kangarli.There is also an archaeological museum found on Istiqlal street. The city has a few interestingmosques, particularly the Jumamosque, with its large dome.
Modern museums in Nakchivan include the Museum under Open Air, Heydar Aliyev Museum and the Memorial Museum (Xatıra Muzeyi), dedicated to the national strife between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The regional channelsNakhchivan TVand now-defunctKanal 35, and newspaperSharg Gapisiare headquartered in the city.
Araz Naxçivanone of the top futsal clubs in the European futsal arena and regularly participates inUEFA Futsal Cup.
Nakhchivan had one professionalfootballteam,Araz-Naxçıvan, which competed in the top-flight ofAzerbaijanifootball, theAzerbaijan Premier League.
In 2014, the city hosted Masters Weightlifting World Cup.
Nakhchivan is known for its "Goyja" fruit, sort of a cherry-plum, and hosts a traditional Goyja festival at the Nakhchivangala Historical-Architectural Museum Complex. Products made from goyja—jam, compote (drink), pickles, dried, lavasha (bread) – are shown at the festival.
Another festival organized annually in Nakhchivan is associated with kata (Azerbaijani:kətə) – flat pie with greens, which is made with shomu (wild spinach), mixed greens,desert candle,pumpkin,asphodel, nettle, bean orlentilin a dough wrapped in the shape of an envelope and cooked in atandir. Kata festival is aimed to show and promote the preparation manner of various types of the kata specific to different regions ofNAR. The festival is held at the Historical-Architectural Museum Complex "Nakhchivangala" in April.
There are 3 professional, 6 musical, 22 secondary schools and a military cadet school in Nakhchivan administered by the city council.
Nakhchivan is home to numerous universities:
Nakhchivan'strolleybus systemconsisted of three lines at its height and existed until 2004.
Nakhchivan International Airportis the only commercial airport serving Nakhchivan. The airport is connected by bus to the city center. There are domestic flights to Baku and international service to Russia and Turkey.
Currently, a light rail line operates from Nakhchivan southeast toOrdubadand northwest toSharur.
The city's notable residents include: president of AzerbaijanHeydar Aliyev,Huseyn Javid– poet and playwright, founder of the progressive romanticism in Azerbaijani literature, writerJalil Mammadguluzadeh, opera singerAzer Zeynalov, film directorRza Tahmasib, generalsHuseyn Khan NakhchivanskiandJamshid Nakhchivanski, artistBahruz Kangarliand architectAjami Nakhchivani.Armenian actressHasmikwho was a People's Artist of the Armenian SSR (1935), Hero of Labour (1936) and received an Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1945).
Nakhchivan istwinnedwith various cities.