President Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Shabran local history museum after major overhaul.

The head of state cut a ribbon symbolizing the opening of the museum.

It was indicated that Shabran is a district with a long history that has left a significant mark in the country’s political and cultural life. It is one of Azerbaijan’s oldest settlements. Based on the written sources and the results of archaeological excavations carried out in various parts of the town, researchers have established that settlements existed here before our era. Starting from the 18th century, Shabran suffered a decline, and only ruins of the ancient city have survived to this day. Today, a new town, a new Shabran is growing and developing on this territory. But the ruins of the ancient town bear many traces of our history, the events that were surrounded with numerous legends and tales. The local history museum established in the district is important from the standpoint of studying these events and revealing interesting facts relating to Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage. The museum has many interesting exhibits documenting the ancient history of Shabran, including those of interest to tourists. In general, there are almost 150 historical monuments registered in Shabran, the most magnificent of which are ancient Shabran and Chiraggala. Specific work has been under way in recent years to promote these sites both as models of cultural heritage and tourist attractions. The museum provides interesting information about these monuments.

It was noted that there are stone exhibits in the museum’s courtyard reflecting the ancient history of Shabran, as well as various objects discovered during archaeological excavations in the district. The museum has a map of Shabran, general information about the district and state attributes.

It was also indicated that under an Order signed by nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev in 2003, the ancient town of Shabran in Davachi District was declared a historical and cultural reserve. Last year, the historical name of this ancient town and district was restored.

In line with the Order signed by President Ilham Aliyev, Davachi District was renamed into Shabran, while according to the Program of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, “Capitals of folk art for 2010-2014”, the town of Shabran was declared “The capital of Azerbaijani legends” in 2011.

The head of state reviewed the photo stands at the entrance to the museum. There are also photos reflecting the domestic and foreign policies of great leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev, the nationwide leader’s and the President’s visits to Shabran District. In addition, the museum provides information about prominent intellectuals and heroes of the 1941-1945 war from Shabran. There is a separate stand dwelling upon martyrs from the district.

President Ilham Aliyev was informed that the museum has a collection of 3,572 exhibits about the history and culture of Shabran. Many artifacts were discovered in archaeological excavations in the town. The museum also has samples of carpets produced in the district. He “Pirebedil”, “Shahnazarli”, “Zeyra”, Pirebedil-Heyrati”, “Haji Gaib” and “Yeni Chichi” carpets are woven in the district now.

President Ilham Aliyev examined a model of Shabran in the early Middle Ages. It was noted that before Shamakhi had emerged as a city, Shabran was the capital of Shirvanshahs. The layout of ancient Shabran’s trade links is also interesting. Historians indicate that there was a high level of production in ancient Shabran and the principles of town-planning were followed. The touchstone using which the rate of gold was marked was manufactured in Shabran. In other words, various objects archaeologists have found in excavations in the Shabran reserve are now among valuable exhibits of the local history museum. Of the objects discovered in ancient Shabran the samples of water mains and sewer lines, as well as old dishes, are of interest.

President Ilham Aliyev gave a high assessment to the work done and issued instructions and recommendations on further enriching the Shabran local history museum.