When approaching the city one can see the remnants of once majestic Ganja Fortress. Now only shapeless boulders mark this site. The fortification ran along entire Ganja-chai riverbank.
The water safeguarding approaches to the fortress undercut it already destroyed walls. The building quickly started to decay. Long time ago two powerful towers standing 600 meters from each other had functioned there. Famous Ganja Gate was used as gate to the fortress.
Javadkhan Mausoleum
More recently on the territory of the historical complex in the yard of the mosque on the site of the fearless ruler of Ganja - Javadkhan who was killed on January 3rd, 1804 in the battle protecting Ganja from foreign invaders the Tomb was built.
Javadkhan`s mortal remains were brought there from the old city graveyard in the 1990s.
The construction which started in 2004 lasted several months. The builders adhered to the requirements of medieval architectural school. The monument was opened in 2005 and has taken a worthy place among other monuments of the 17th century.
Ancient Ganja Gate
In 1063 a smith named Ibragim ibn Osman made the famous Ganja Gate be the order of a Seddadid Dynasty ruler. It is a masterpiece of craftsmanship of that time. The gate made of cast iron was decorated with stamped ornaments and patterns from the outer side. The ornament contained the name of the master in kufi language and the date the gate completion.
In 1139 year a Georgian tsar Demeter I thanks to the earthquake, which had practically destroyed the city, attacked Ganja and captured the gate as his trophy. The gate weighing a few tons was carried by the survived citizens of Ganja on their backs. Only one half of the gate has survived. It is built in the wall of Kelatin Monastery across from the Georgian king David IV tomb.
Nizami Ganjevi Mausoleum
Ganja is the birthplace of the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjevi who made the invaluable contribution to the history of not only Azerbaijani literature but also the world literature. Nizami Ganjevi was born in Ganja in 1141. He was one of the most educated people of the time. He became world famous as the author of "Khamme" (penta verse ) the collection of five poems which displayed not only the poet`s great skill but also his ethical and philosophical views. The most part of the lyrics is devoted to love. Other world famous works by Nizami are poems "Khosrov and Shirin", "Layli and Medzhnun", "Iskander - nameh".
Nizami Ganjevi Mausoleum today is the place of pilgrimage and adoration of poets. It is located at the approach to city from the southwest. The mausoleum is a modern monumental construction of the cylindrical form of red granite dressed in semicircular shapes. Below there is the entrance to the mausoleum which seems just tiny in comparison to the majestic structure. The name Nizami is cut with golden letters right above the entrance.
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