Azerbaijani president visits Nasimi Gardens complex in Shamakhi district PHOTO / UPDATED

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have visited the Nasimi Gardens complex in Shamakhi district.

Assistant to the President Anar Alakbarov briefed the head of state and the First Lady on the facilities and amenities at the complex, Caliber.Az reports, citing state media.

Nasimi Gardens is a new recreational space created in Shamakhi district for residents and visitors to spend their leisure time. The complex is intended to support tourism development in the district, increase the region’s tourism potential, preserve the area’s natural features and provide a comfortable environment for family recreation.

The multifunctional tourism and cultural-recreational complex includes various leisure facilities, family recreation infrastructure, art installations on different themes and catering facilities.

The complex’s main three-storey building serves as an information and tourism centre, where visitors can obtain information about local attractions, tourist routes and services available at Nasimi Gardens. The building also houses Capybara Cafe and a souvenir shop.

A museum featuring an extensive exhibition on the ancient and modern history and cultural heritage of Shamakhi has been established in another four-storey building. The building also includes a main restaurant hall, an events hall and a large terrace.

The complex features themed Magic Village houses built in the style of hobbit homes, the Honey Nest cafe, a large children’s playground and a 9-metre-high observation tower. The houses are equipped with all necessary facilities for year-round tourist accommodation.

The complex is also home to Capybara Land, the first and only specialised capybara farm in Azerbaijan. Visitors can get close to the animals, pet them and feed them by hand.

More than 100 works and installations created by Azerbaijani and foreign artists and sculptors are displayed across the complex. These include a modern-style installation dedicated to prominent Azerbaijani poet Imadaddin Nasimi. The 21-metre-high installation stands out for its scale and can be seen from many parts of Shamakhi.

A settlement comprising 20 cottages, a reception building and a swimming pool has also been established at the complex.

A mosque is also located on the premises.

More than 150,000 trees and plants have been planted across the complex, including pine trees, vineyards, various ornamental plants and paulownia, one of the fastest-growing tree species in the world.

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Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have visited the Nasimi Gardens complex in the Shamakhi district, according to the official presidential website. 

Earlier in the day, Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva visited a monument to National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the centre of Shamakhi, Caliber.Az reports.

Later, they attended the opening of the Meysari Grand Hotel & SPA complex.