Established as an administrative district on August 8, 1930, Zangilan is an important territory located in the southwestern part of Azerbaijan, also bordering on the Islamic Republic of Iran and Armenia. The district is rich in history, geography, culture, and economy.
The district has a unique climate and nature. There is a large area of natural plane trees in the basin of the Basitchay river in Zangilan. The natural plane tree forest, which has been around for centuries, is a world-famous fascinating place, the second largest in the world and the first in Europe in terms of the area it covers. Zangilan, which has a rich historical and cultural heritage, has a multitude of ancient temples, castles, residential areas and other archaeological monuments. Among them, the most valuable monuments of medieval architecture are the Sharifan and Yenikand mausoleums, the Mammadbayli mausoleum, the Zangilan city mosque, and the Bartaz maiden tower.
On October 29, 1993, Zangilan district was occupied by Armenian armed forces. As a result of the occupation, dozens of cultural, religious and historical monuments, residential and administrative buildings in the district were destroyed, the local population was subjected to aggression, and tens of thousands of people were internally displaced. During the occupation, as was the case in other occupied territories, environmental terrorism was committed in Zangilan district.
The city of Zangilan was liberated from Armenian occupation on October 20 of the same year as a result of the counter-offensive launched by the Azerbaijani Army on September 27, 2020. Today, October 20, is celebrated as the Day of the City of Zangilan in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On the Establishment of City Days in the Liberated Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan”.
As is the case in other territories liberated from occupation, large-scale restoration and reconstruction work is currently underway in Zangilan district. All conditions are being created for former internally displaced persons to live comfortably and well in their native lands. The return of former internally displaced persons to Zangilan began on July 19-25, 2022, and this process continues at an increasing pace.
The head of state regularly visits Zangilan district to closely familiarize himself with the work underway there, participates in groundbreaking and opening ceremonies, and holds meetings with representatives of the district community.
President Ilham Aliyev has laid the foundation of a “Smart Village” in Aghali village of Zangilan district, the internal road and communication network of Jahangirbayli, Alibayli and Zangilan villages, Minjivan settlement, and Zangilan city. In addition, the head of state has laid the foundation of five residential and administrative buildings, a school, a kindergarten, a central district hospital, a “Dost Agropark” and a Digital Substation in Zangilan city.
The head of state attended the opening ceremony of the first stage of the “Smart Village” project, the opening of the 110/35/10 kV “Zangilan” substation, the Digital Control Center of the Zangilan Electricity Network, the Jahangirbayli, Zangilan, Shayifli and Sarigishlag hydroelectric power stations, and the commissioning of the “Archimedes” turbine-type hydroelectric power station. The head of state has also inaugurated the Zangilan Congress Center and the “Aghali” hotel. In addition, on October 28, 2025, President inaugurated the second phase of Aghali village and Mammadbayli village in the Zangilan district, and presented the keys to the apartments to the residents returning to the villages.
After the liberation of occupied territories, as part of the projects on the restoration of historical, religious and cultural monuments in Garabagh and East Zangezur, the ancient Zangilan Mosque was mothballed and a new mosque was built next to it. President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening ceremony of the mosque.
