September 7, 2011

President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva studied reconstruction works at the Qala Archeological and Ethnographical Museum Complex in Khazar district, attended the opening of the Museum of Antiques

President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva studied reconstruction works at the Qala Archeological and Ethnographical Museum Complex in Khazar district, attended the opening of the Museum of Antiques, September 7.

They were told the creation of the Archeological and Ethnographical Museum Complex within the State History and Ethnography Reserve in Qala settlement, one of the most ancient habitations in Absheron, due to support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in 2008 serves the protection of historical past of Azerbaijan and changing the country into a tourist center. The Reserve plays important role in safeguarding and promoting Azerbaijan’s history, culture, and traditions.

 

The First Couple were informed of the Clean Qala Project launched by ‘Temiz Sheher’ JSC in the settlement, as a pilot area, upon the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s initiative. The project is aimed to ensure an integrated management of waste generated in the settlement, and organization of the collection, transportation and disposal of waste in accordance with modern standards. A water pipe to the territory has been built, 15 springs opened.

 

President Ilham Aliyev and Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva became familiar with the Qala Information Center providing detailed information on the museums in the Reserve. The territory around the Reserve has been improved, 170 thousand trees and decorative bushes planted.

 

They toured the Qala Park, inspected the works performed, viewed a stand reflecting the previous state of the Park.

 

The President and the First Lady planted a tree in the Park.

 

They were informed the lake here was cleaned and improvement work was carried out in a nearby area of 24.2 hectares. As part of the construction-landscaping project, soil to a depth of three meters was removed here and cleaned of oil and other wastes, and replaced with the new roadbed. Some 24 pillars with solar panels installed here allow lighting the area. Over 80,000 trees and decorative plants were set around the lake and irrigation system installed. An entertainment ground was put into operation here to ensure children’s rest.

 

Then, President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse familiarized themselves with the Sand Bathhouse dating back to the 12th and 14th centuries. Unique water, gas and sewage systems were used in the Bathhouse in the ancient times.

 

The First Couple were also acquainted with the Ethno-Ecological Center created at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for children and youth. The Qala Festival held with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in 2010 was attended by 2,500 children from secondary and boarding schools and children homes in Baku. The Festival demonstrated the works by masters of knitting, pottery and blacksmith's. The Festival, which included master classes for children, provided an opportunity to the younger generation to get acquainted with domestic and ethnographic traditions. A huge interest in the Festival contributed to the creation of the Ethno-Ecological Center.

 

In the soviet time, a club and a kindergarten functioned in the building that was a mill in XIX century. The Ethno-Ecological Center has every facility for children’s rest and enlightenment.

 

President Ilham Aliyev and Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva got familiar with the Qala Monument Complex dating back to the 10th and 14th centuries. A large-scale project has recently been carried out in the settlement with a view to preserve all the historical and cultural sites of scientific, historical and artistic value, as well as enrich the State Reserve at the expense of other archaeological finds discovered in the Absheron region. They were told the Absheron archeological expedition of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan conducted here excavation work at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in 2010-2011. Excavation works discovered findings of III-II millenniums BC, as well XIV-XV centuries. Habitations on and under rock of Bronze Age, images on rock, ancient foundations, primitive wall ruin, 2 underground roads to Caspian Sea and Baku of X-XIV and X-XV centuries, an oven made of clay in a hole in the earth of XVIII century are displayed at the Complex. Rocks here reflect mainly images of human, animal and various fragments.

 

Qala Castle of the 10th-14th centuries includes a 13,8-m tower and a fortification. Golden coins and bracelets, ceramic patterns of X-XVI centuries, also rock images of III-II millenniums BC found in Zira habitation are exhibited in the fortress of the 16th-17th centuries.

 

President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Museum of Antiques set up within the Reserve at the initiative of Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

 

The foundation of the Museum was laid last June with participation of Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s President Mehriban Aliyeva. Based on a personal collection by Shahid Habibullayev, the Museum has up to 3000 exhibits. Antiques by Azerbaijani craftsmen displayed here have been exhibited in international exhibitions in Paris, London, Washington, Berlin, Moscow, Cairo, Rabat, Bishkek, Tashkent.

 

The Museum exhibits 800 pieces from this unique collection. Decorative and applied art works created by the Azerbaijani people throughout centuries are displayed on the first and second floors of the 3-floor building, while the third floor is for exhibits collected from regions of Azerbaijan, manufactured in USA, Germany, Austria, Russia, France, England, Belgium, Iran, Uzbekistan, Poland, Turkey and other countries.

 

The Museum exhibits 156 samovars, containing from half a litre to 90, brought from Tula, Moscow, St Petersburg, Ural and other regions of Russia, also from Poland, Iran, Austria, US and other countries.

 

Samovars made in Azerbaijan are also displayed here. The most ancient of them made 3,700 years ago was found in Sheki. This is more ancient than an Egyptian samovar of 2000 years ago. The exhibition includes ancient men’s and women’s belts, necklaces and bracelets, weapons, daggers. A phaeton exhibited here was made at Ludwig Nobel’s machine-building plant and preserved in Sheki. Coins used in Shirvan and Sheki khanates are also shown here.

 

The first floor includes a conference hall, administrative rooms, section for souvenirs and a repair-restoration studio.

 

President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva signed the Museum`s guest book.

 

Then, they became familiar with the caravanserai-restaurant. The facility was built at the initiative of President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva. Favorable conditions have been created here for tourists to taste the Azerbaijan’s national cuisine. The first floor of the restaurant will function as a cafe, while the second one as a restaurant. A caravanserai in the rear garden of the restaurant includes 7 outdoor and 7 closed lounges built in the Eastern architectural style and decorated with items reflecting the ancient culture of Azerbaijan.

 

All measures have been taken in the Reserve to assure convenience of persons with disabilities. Security cameras have been installed here, wells and reservoirs reconstructed, a car park and a garage for electric vehicles constructed in an area of 35,000 square meters. Under the project, intra-settlement and surrounding roads were paved with asphalt of 50,000 square meters, lampposts placed, pipes built to improve gas and water supply, a ground around the Complex reconstructed.

 

President Ilham Aliyev praised the works done, and gave recommendations and instructions.