Azerbaijan: Quiet Sheki

From Tbilisi our original plan was to continue east by bus across Azerbaijan to catch our flight home from Baku. However during my trip planning, I failed to register that the Georgia-Azerbaijan land border is open only for exiting from Azerbaijan not for entering. We ended flying yet another time, from Tbilisi to Baku. From Baku airport we made our way directly to the Baku International Bus Station, then took a small bus (more than half way back west towards Tbilisi) to Sheki; one of our least elegant moves ever.

Between Baku and Sheki the landscape is first arid wide valleys, distinctly different from the lush mountainous terrain we have been everywhere in the Caucasus, then a bit less arid in the "Wine Country", then green forests and wheatfields. Sheki itself is at the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains. It was on the Silk Road and then developed its own silk industry, evidenced by two huge caravansaries that still remain. The area does not look to have too many economic activities in recent years. Sheki got on the UNESCO list in 2019. It's obvious the town is trying its hand at tourism.

The flight from Tbilisi to Baku.






The small bus to Sheki.


The changing lansdscape on the 300km drive northwest.














Our guesthouse.


City view from The Fortress.


Minaret.


Typical local architecture. Brick!






The huge, very cool, now a hotel, Upper Caravanserai is on the way up to the Fortress.










The highlight of the Fortress is the Palace (2nd -> 5th below). No photos allowed inside.










More photos from around town.