Khankendi is one of the relatively young cities of Azerbaijan. According to archive documents, the city was built at the end of the 18th century as a residential area for the recreation of Garabagh khans. Taking into account its proximity to other important cities and villages of the Garabagh khanate, such as Aghdam, Khojaly, Malibayli, Karkijahan and others, Khankendi was built 10 kilometers from the capital of the khanate, Panahabad (now Shusha), almost at the foot of mountains. This new settlement, as in other settlements of Garabagh, was inhabited only by the local population – Azerbaijanis.
Although Khankendi was built as a recreation center for the Garabagh, history falsifiers tried to appropriate the city by linking it with the name of criminal Stepan Shaumyan, who committed genocide against the Azerbaijani people. As if this wasn’t enough, the falsifiers tried to get rid of the rich historical and cultural heritage of Khankendi. Throughout history, ancient monuments of Khankendi have been demolished and new residential buildings have been built, the exterior of houses and administrative buildings in the city dating back to the 18-19th centuries has been changed beyond recognition.
As a continuation of Victory in the Patriotic War and as a result of the one-day local anti-terrorist operation carried out by the Azerbaijani Army on September 19-20, 2023, the sovereignty of the country was fully restored. September 20 is celebrated as the Day of the City of Khankendi in accordance with the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Amendments to Order No. 4013 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated July 31, 2023 “On the Establishment of City Days in the Liberated Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan”.
The development of the city of Khankendi has always received special attention of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. Most of the buildings in Khankendi were constructed during the Great Leader's leadership of Azerbaijan.
After the full restoration of the sovereignty by Azerbaijan, a series of events took place in the city of Khankendi that will be written in the golden pages of Azerbaijan’s history. On October 15, 2023, President Ilham Aliyev raised the National Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the city of Khankendi. On November 8, a military parade dedicated to the third anniversary of Victory in the Patriotic War was held and the 1/8 stage of the Azerbaijan Football Cup took place at the Khankendi stadium. On February 7, 2024, for the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, voting for the extraordinary presidential elections of Azerbaijan was held in Garabagh, precisely in the city of Khankendi.
In accordance with the instructions of the head of state, multifaceted work is currently underway in the city of Khankendi to develop the region. President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated kindergarten No. 1, secondary school No. 4 named after Nizami Ganjavi, and the newly renovated Secondary School No. 1 in the Karkijahan settlement of the city of Khankendi.
Garabagh University, which plays a leading role in the development of education and the training of highly qualified specialists in the territories liberated from occupation, has resumed its activities, with its main building and student dormitory having been fully renovated. The newly constructed building of the University's Faculty of Business and Economics has been commissioned. At the same time, the Clinic of Garabagh University has begun operating to train professional medical specialists in line with the demands of the new era.
Extensive measures to restore and reconstruct residential settlements are being implemented in the territories liberated from occupation. Within this framework, the head of state reviewed the works carried out for the reconstruction of the Karkijahan settlement in the city of Khankendi and met with its residents.
In accordance with the directives of President Ilham Aliyev to establish a reliable electricity infrastructure in the liberated territories, a modern closed-type 110/35/10 kV substation meeting urban grid standards has been commissioned in Khankendi.
In addition to historical and cultural monuments, the liberated territories have fascinating nature, underground and surface resources, and extensive tourism opportunities. The region has ample opportunities for the development of medical tourism, recreational tourism, ecotourism, and other types of tourism. The “Bulud” hotel, which was opened after major repairs and restoration by President Ilham Aliyev, as well as other infrastructure projects being implemented in the city, will play an important role in unlocking the tourism potential of liberated territories and attracting tourists to these regions.
As part of the efforts aimed at developing entrepreneurship in the liberated territories, extensive measures are being implemented. The Khankendi Congress Center and the "Khankendi" Business Center, part of the "Khankendi" Hotel Complex, inaugurated by President Ilham Aliyev, will play a significant role in creating a favorable business environment, generating new jobs, and contributing to the overall development of the city.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening of the Victory Park, which reflects our people’s resolute struggle for the restoration of historical justice and the defense of territorial integrity, their unmatched heroism, and the glorious Victory achieved in the 44-day Patriotic War. The park will provide a welcoming space for the leisure and recreation of Khankendi residents and visitors.
