Azerbaijani, Turkmen leaders visit key development, cultural sites in Shusha PHOTO / UPDATED

On July 17, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov paid a visit to several significant development sites in the city of Shusha, symbolising the ongoing reconstruction and revitalisation efforts in the liberated territories.

The two leaders first toured the newly completed residential complex—the first of its kind in the restored city. Aydin Kerimov, the President’s Special Representative in the Shusha district, provided a detailed briefing on the project, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The complex, spanning 8 hectares and comprising 23 buildings, features 450 apartments of various sizes, including one- to five-room units.

The construction of the complex began in August 2021 following a groundbreaking ceremony led by President Aliyev. Designed to accommodate former internally displaced persons (IDPs) and civil servants working in Shusha, the complex now houses 376 families, totalling 1,409 residents. Significant landscaping and greening works have also been carried out to enhance the surrounding environment.

Later, President Aliyev and Chairman Berdimuhamedov visited the construction site of the New Shusha Mosque, a symbolic and architectural project underway in the upper part of the city. Assistant to the President Anar Alakbarov briefed the visitors on the progress of construction, which has currently surpassed the 60 per cent completion mark.

The mosque’s architectural design carries deep symbolic meaning. Its structure will reflect the number 8—commemorating the date of Shusha’s liberation (8 November, Victory Day)—while the two minarets will symbolise the number 11, marking the month of liberation. The minarets will stand at 72 metres tall, and the mosque’s exterior will feature traditional geometric patterns inspired by those of historic Shusha mosques. The project is expected to be completed next year.

In addition to visiting development projects, the two leaders paid tribute to Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage. President Aliyev and Chairman Berdimuhamedov visited the monuments of prominent Azerbaijani figures—Khurshidbanu Natavan, Bulbul, and Uzeyir Hajibeyli—which were severely damaged during the Armenian occupation. 

During the occupation, these monuments were transported to Armenia with the intent to melt them down. However, thanks to the efforts of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the statues were purchased back and preserved in the courtyard of the Museum of Arts in Baku until their return to Shusha following the city's liberation.

The two leaders also visited the exhibition Heydar Aliyev and Karabakh at the Shusha Creativity Centre, recently restored by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The historic building, once a caravanserai built in the 1880s by Shusha merchant Agha Gahraman Mirsiyab oglu, was officially reopened on May 10, 2023, after restoration began in 2022.

The exhibition showcases rare photographs, documents, and video footage highlighting Heydar Aliyev’s contributions to the socio-economic, political, and cultural development of Karabakh. Of particular note are his visits to the region and the significant milestones achieved during his leadership. The year 1969 marked a turning point for Karabakh and East Zangezur, as Heydar Aliyev launched wide-ranging reforms despite the difficult historical context. Among these achievements was the commissioning of the Aghdam–Khankendi railway in 1979, a strategic step aimed at enhancing Karabakh’s integration with the rest of the country.

In a further demonstration of cultural restoration efforts, President Aliyev and Chairman Berdimuhamedov also visited the Bulbul House-Museum in Shusha. Azerbaijani MP Polad Bulbuloglu informed the guests that the legendary Azerbaijani vocalist Bulbul was born and spent his childhood in this very house. In 1982, under the directive of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and a decision by the Executive Committee of the Shusha City Council of People's Deputies, the house was converted into a museum. Renovation works carried out in 1982–1983 included the creation of a museum exhibition and the construction of an administrative annexe.

The museum ceased operations after being vandalised by Armenian forces during the First Karabakh War in 1992. Following the liberation of Shusha, the Bulbul House-Museum was restored and officially reopened in August 2021. A new bust of Bulbul has been erected in the museum courtyard. The original bust, desecrated during the occupation, has been preserved as a piece of historical evidence of Armenian cultural vandalism.

Another important stop on the itinerary was the Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque, a national architectural monument and one of Shusha’s most iconic religious landmarks. AZERTAC reports that Chairman Berdimuhamedov was informed of the widespread destruction inflicted upon Shusha’s religious and cultural heritage during the occupation, including the destruction or desecration of 16 of the city's 17 mosques.

Following Shusha’s liberation, President Ilham Aliyev ordered the immediate restoration of religious sites. The restoration of the Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque was undertaken by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, beginning in late 2021. The mosque was fully reconstructed and officially reopened on May 10, 2023, in a ceremony attended by President Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and members of their family.

The two leaders then toured the Mehmandarovs’ Estate Complex, an architectural gem of the 18th century comprising large and small residential buildings, a family mosque, and a spring. Restoration of the estate, carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, began in October 2021. The spring’s roof was rebuilt in its original form and inaugurated during President Aliyev’s visit in September 2022. The entire complex was officially reopened on May 9, 2023, in a ceremony attended by President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. A museum exhibition titled The House of Karabakh Nobility has been established at the site, recreating the interior of a Karabakh noble’s residence using more than 150 antique items from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

Afterwards, President Aliyev and Chairman Berdimuhamedov visited Jidir Duzu, the iconic plain overlooking Shusha. A presentation of Karabakh horses was held at the site, showcasing the region’s equestrian heritage. In a symbolic gesture of friendship, President Ilham Aliyev presented a Karabakh horse named Dostlug ("Friendship") to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

By Vugar Khalilov