Azernews.Az

By Aygul Salmanova

The number of tourists visiting Barda, one of the most significant and ancient cities of the country, has significantly increased.

Hikmet Heydarov, Head of the Tourism Information Center, told Azernews that the number of tourists visiting the region increased by 65 percent compared to the same period of last year.

During the first 11 months of this year, 7,250 tourists from different cities and regions of the country visited Barda while the number of foreign tourists was 1,233.

He noted that to achieve this increase Barda Tourism Information Center with Regional Cultural Administration department of the Tourism and Culture Ministry carried out a joint promotional work.

The introduction of a simplified visa regime and the overall rise of the tourist flow to the country also gave impetus to increase of the number of tourists visiting Barda, he added. It was possible to raise awareness about Barda and its historical sites, as overall information about the city can be found in media and various tourism information websites, he said.

The frequent tourists are from CIS countries, Heydarov noted. “In addition, a considerable part of tourists are coming from Arab countries and Iran to see the city. Tourists from countries such as India, England, the U.S. also travel Barda,” he said.

Heydarov noted that a number of measures are taken to develop the city’s tourism sector: “Printed brochures and information cards, the map of the city are presented to tourists in order to facilitate their tour of the city."

Various exhibitions reflecting the customs and traditions of the city, including art and tourism exhibitions, are organized in the city. Tourists visiting Barda are more interested in the historic sites of the region.

Barda Tomb, also called as Allah-Allah or Nushaba tomb, is one of the most important monuments reflecting the history of the city. Heydarov noted that the local people call this monument Nushaba Tomb while its formal name is Barda Tomb. Some people, however, call it Allah-Allah due to more than 280 inscriptions reading Allah-Allah in Arabic.

Tourists also visit Torpaggala of 18-19 centuries, one of two existing monuments of its type in the world, Hamam located in the village Shirvanli, Juma Mosque built in the 20th century, bridge on the river Tartar, tomb located in the village Gulallah, etc.

Another monument, according to Heydarov, that makes the city one of the most developed zones of faith tourism is Imamzade mosque. He noted that every day quite high number of tourists from Iran and some Arab countries visit this monument. Although Imamzada mosque was mostly visited by Syrian tourists before.

Heydarov also noted that he strongly recommends the visitors of the city to come and see the house of Bala Bey. This marvelous house, built in the 18th century in accordance with the plan that was made in England, was constructed in gothic style,” he noted.

Barda, one of the oldest living centers not only in Azerbaijan but also in the Middle East, is rich with many cultural monuments covering a vast period from the second millennium BC to the Middle Ages.

Through the city, located to the east of the Murovdag ridge, in the western part of the Shirvan plain, flows the river Terter. The city was the key point in which many arteries forming the Great Silk Road converged. With such a favorable geographical position characterized by a location at the intersection of all caravan routes, the ancient Barda was the largest commercial and artisan city.

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