Shusha ( WNAM MONITORING): Known as the cultural capital of Azerbaijan and the pearl of the Caucasus, the city of Shusha is rich in historical, cultural, and architectural landmarks. Among these is the Shusha Fortress, the foundation of which was laid in 1752 by Panahali Khan Javanshir, the founder and first ruler of the Karabakh Khanate.
Originally, the Shusha Fortress had three main gates: Ganja, Iravan, and Aghoghlan. These gates were also marked in the 19th-century Master Plans of Shusha. Two of them — the Ganja and Aghoghlan gates — have survived to this day.
For many years, the fortress protected Shusha from enemy invasions. In 1795, Agha Muhammad Shah Qajar, the ruler of the Qajar state, besieged the city for a month with an army of 80,000 men but failed to capture it. The Shusha Fortress has retained its significance even in modern times. During the 44-day Patriotic War, Azerbaijani soldiers who liberated Shusha later took shelter in the fortress while repelling enemy counterattacks.
During the occupation, the fortress suffered heavy damage and fell into neglect. Following the liberation of the city, extensive restoration work was carried out to repair the damaged sections.
Today, the Shusha Fortress stands as one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, symbolizing Azerbaijan’s enduring history and cultural heritage.
