The settlement of Lahij mesmerises visitors with its ancient cobblestone streets, stone houses, souvenir shops and folk art items.
Situated 1,500 metres above sea level, Lahij is known for its folk craftsmanship, unique traditions and picturesque natural landscapes. With over 2,000 years of history and military significance as a natural fortification, the ancient city of Lahij is now under state protection. According to historians and linguists, the etymology of Lahij can be explained with translations such as ‘rocky place,’ ‘nonmigrants,’ or ‘clan, dialect.’ In 1980, Lahij State Historical and Cultural Reserve was established, safeguarding 103 historical and cultural monuments. The regulations of the architectural reserve restrict the use of modern construction materials, thus preserving Lahij’s old urban layout.
Architectural legacy
Historical hammams, mosques and the two-storey houses where Lahij residents live are integral parts of the village’s architectural structure.
River Lulo divides the village into two parts, with the larger section of Lahij to the south and the smaller Aragit to the north. The main street is called ‘Boyuk Street’ or ‘Bazar Street’ (meaning ‘Great Street‘ and ‘Market Street’ respectively), where almost all of Lahij’s copper workshops are located. Visitors to Lahij usually stroll along this central street, not only buying souvenirs, but also observing the craftsmen at work. There are 11 neighbourhoods in the reserve area, each one traditionally home to those engaged in distinct crafts.
Zavaro Mosque
The abundance of mosques in Lahij is due to their role as shelters for Muslims far from home. One of these mosques, named after its neighbourhood, is Zavaro Mosque, built in 1805 in the south-western part of Lahij. An inscription on the building’s façade mentions its restoration.
Badavun Mosque
A significant architectural monument, Badavun Mosque was founded in 1791. It features eight stone inscriptions above and beside the entrance door. The mosque’s roof structure is supported by six columns in the prayer hall, two of which also cover the women’s prayer area. Restoration work was carried out in 2019 .
Agholu Mosque
Bult in 1902 from river stones, Agholu Mosque embodies the characteristics of traditional Lahij architecture. It consists of a prayer hall, cells on two levels, a semi-open space leading to the minaret, the minaret itself and a two-storey residential building attached to the mosque. The building’s façade features a stone inscription in Arabic script.
Lil Bridge
At the entrance to Lahij Settlement, River Lil is spanned by Lil Bridge, constructed in 1931 and now a popular tourist attraction. Due to its location in a seismically active area, the bridge’s support structure incorporates a wooden beam design. Although a severe flood in the 1930s destroyed a portion of the bridge, it is currently designated for pedestrian use.
Yukhari Aragit Mosque
This 19th-century mosque is located in Yukhari (‘Upper’) Aragit Square of Aragit Village. Stone inscriptions on the building’s façade indicate that the mosque was built in 1814 by the sons of Mashadi Kazim, Zeynalabdin Kazim and Hajibaba, to immortalise their father’s memory. The building returned to its original function as a mosque after Azerbaijan gained independence.
Folk Craft
Lahij is known as the copperworking centre of Azerbaijan. The settlement is famous for producing metal weapons, various copper items and leather goods.
Historical sources from as early as the 10th-11th centuries mention Lahij as a renowned craft centre and a capital of copperworking, with the most skilled coppersmiths either from Lahij or trained here. With its ancient history, Lahij is still known for its rare copperware, sold throughout the Caucasus and the Middle East. Craft secrets have been passed down through generations. ‘Copper craftsmanship of Lahij’ was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2015. Copper items designed with engraving are currently exhibited in the Louvre and Hermitage museums.
