Ganja
About Ganja
- Ganja, Azerbaijan
Historic city that's young in spirit
In Ganja city centre, ancient mosques and hammams built during the Safavid era sit side by side with structures left over from the Ganja Khanate and Russian Empire, in addition to eye-catching examples of Socialist Classicism. The city truly brims with history, from the Imamzadeh mosque and mausoleum complex – a key spiritual centre dating back to the 8th century, to the Nizami mausoleum honouring Azerbaijan’s legendary 12th-century poet, to all the charming old red-brick architecture, to the building that briefly hosted the government of Azerbaijan’s first republic (the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, 1918-1920).
But at the same time, Ganja exudes a distinctly youthful energy, as reflected in the city’s selection as the 2016 European Youth Capital, as well as the several universities located here, and the trendy cafes and art spaces in the central area, not to mention the Ganja State Puppet Theatre, housed in a 19th-century Lutheran church. There are also a few culinary specialties to try, such as Ganja pakhlava, dovga – a traditional yoghurt-based soup, and locally made wines.
But at the same time, Ganja exudes a distinctly youthful energy, as reflected in the city’s selection as the 2016 European Youth Capital, as well as the several universities located here, and the trendy cafes and art spaces in the central area, not to mention the Ganja State Puppet Theatre, housed in a 19th-century Lutheran church. There are also a few culinary specialties to try, such as Ganja pakhlava, dovga – a traditional yoghurt-based soup, and locally made wines.
Ganja interesting facts
DID YOU KNOW?
INTERESTING FACT #1 From 1804 until 1918 under the Russian Empire the city was renamed from Ganja to Elisabethpol in honour of the wife of Alexander I of Russia, Elisabeth.
INTERESTING FACT #2 Ganja was the European Youth Capital in 2016, the first EYC outside of the European Union. The city also became the cultural capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States for 2017.
INTERESTING FACT #1 From 1804 until 1918 under the Russian Empire the city was renamed from Ganja to Elisabethpol in honour of the wife of Alexander I of Russia, Elisabeth.
INTERESTING FACT #2 Ganja was the European Youth Capital in 2016, the first EYC outside of the European Union. The city also became the cultural capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States for 2017.