Azerbaijan continues restoration of historical and religious heritage in Karabakh

Azerbaijan is continuing efforts to restore historical and religious heritage in Karabakh and other territories liberated from occupation, with dozens of religious sites either restored or newly constructed.

According to the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, 67 mosques, 139 churches and 192 shrines have so far been identified in the liberated territories. The committee provided the figures in response to an inquiry from Report.

The committee said that 65 of the 67 mosques were completely destroyed during the occupation, while two were partially destroyed and rendered unusable.

Since the territories were liberated, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, led by First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, has undertaken large-scale projects to restore historical and religious sites.

Among the restored sites are the Yukhari Govhar Agha, Ashaghi Govhar Agha, Saatli, Mamayi, Chol Gala and Dashalti mosques in Shusha, as well as the Juma and Giyasli mosques in Aghdam.

The committee said the restoration work was carried out in accordance with the monuments’ original historical and architectural styles.

“As part of the large-scale construction work continuing in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, new mosques have been built and commissioned in the city of Zangilan, the settlement of Hadrut in the Khojavend district and the village of Sugovushan in the Aghdara district,” the committee said.

The authorities also highlighted restoration work on Christian heritage. Reconstruction and restoration of Ghazanchi Church in Shusha has been carried out in accordance with its original appearance, according to the committee.

“Construction of new mosques is currently continuing in the cities of Shusha, Jabrayil and Fuzuli,” the committee added.