“Lahij” tourism zone
Lahij was one of copper-smith and arm production centers of Azerbaijan in XVII-XIX centuries. Can, copper pail, sernij, round copper tray, serpuc, guyum, colander, scummer, bowl, basin, pot, lamp and other products prepared from copper by Lahij masters and decorated with composite and fine ornaments was known in Middle Asia, Dagestan, Georgia, Iran and Turkey and other places.Samovar made by master Nejefqulu in 1717-1718 years gain fame with its proportionality, prettiness of form, and ornaments on it. More than 200 copper-smith workshops acted in the middle of XIX century. Fire (rifle, different type pistols and etc.) and side (dagger, sheath knife, sword, knife and etc.) arms produced with high mastership of Lahij masters was very famous. These arms were decorated with ornament; they were sealed with mastership seal. In the first part of XIX century Ijevsk arm factory of Russia used Lahij masters experience. More than 100 art type was developed in those times – copper-smith, currier, boot maker, hating, saddler, blacksmith, engraver, tinsmith, potter-smith, dressmaker and other professions.
Estimate mosques, water pipe and sewer (kurebend), Girdiman castle – memories of those years are saving with care in Lahij turned to museum-reservation from 1980, mastership traditions continue and develop. Lahijians were busy mainly with coppersmith, blacksmith, goldsmith, carpet-making and other professions. For exhibiting these to all word it is necessary to create tourism center in mountain village Lahij which has azure skies, clear weather, remedy waters and crowdie streets. Currently no few tourists come here. Tourists coming from Iran, Russia, Japan, Italy and Spain mainly want to rest in Lahij. But how much they are amazed with stone floored streets of Lahij, as much they are regretted about the state of the Lahij road. Lahij span is in mighty watershed of Niyaldagh chain, the height is nearly 1700 meters, narrow and hard passing.
After opening tourism center, it is natural that, number of visitors to settlement will arise. That’s why it is necessary to renew and put the road in order. Formerly the great leader Heydar Aliyev initiated and gave arrangements for it. Then the situation changed, USSR collapsed, and the problem didn’t find its solution. Now the time has come, there should be comfortable and safety road worthy of Lahij name. Khinalig is remembered in Lahij.This ruined road to village situating on 2500 meter height from see level was repaired by the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev. Ministry of Transport informed that, project estimation documents of Lahij road prepared, and its construction will be restored very soon. First of all roads should be bring to modern requirements level in order to develop tourism in regions. Everything beginning from asphalt cover to traffic signs is included here. The road is door to tourism, the key of attracting tourists. The good road is causes to raise economy, social progress, improvement and makes places intercommunication.
This problem find its solution both in State Program related to development (2002-2005 years) of tourism approved in 27 August,2002 by great leader Heydar Aliyev and in State Program related to development of regional social-economy approved in 11 February, 2004 by Ilham Aliyev. Measures regarding tourism defined by both documents mainly have fulfilled already. Now new conception aimed to future development of tourism industry is preparing.Enhancement of road-transport infrastructure is considered in “Development Program of tourism on 2007-2016 years in Azerbaijan” worked on by special working group created by the order of Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Renovation of government significance trunk roads is planned on basis of budget and the local significance roads will be renovated on the basis of municipality forces. Word bank and Asia Development Bank also allocated investments for modernization of transport network of Azerbaijan.
Ganja-Shamkir part of Ganja-Kazakh trunk-road of 93 kilometers restored within the bounds of TRASECA is on the eve of putting on commission, and Shemkir-Kazakh part will be ready till the end of next year. At the same time the way from Russia board till Baku, Alat-Astara highway and Baku-Shamaki-Mughan way will be restored. The roads between villages in Sheky, Qakh, Zaqatala and Balaken regions will be enhanced. Other components of the country road economy will be additionally invested; our roads will be accommodated in accordance with word standards till 2015 year.
Azerbaijan has all natural-geographical, historical-cultural, social resources for development of tourism. Our republic invites everybody with its miraculous nature, mild climate, ancient monuments, blue Caspian, big and little rivers, green forests, cool lakes, high mountains.
According to last information every year we receive more than 1 million and 115 thousand tourists from foreign, we gain 70 million USD per year considering internal tourism also. Our guest can travel all over our country with seven tourist route. But they prefer ecologically clear territories, including mountain and north regions. Now the most important thing is to reinforce tourist flow to country by improve the level of service and make their rest pleasant and their travel interesting. And this began with the road. Guest passing from comfortable road will desire to pass there one more time.
