Historic Centre of Shaki with the Khan’s Palace

Located at the foot of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, the historic centre of Shaki stands as a testament to its role as a major hub on the Great Silk Road. The city’s urban planning is influenced by its distinct geography and climate; houses feature steeply high-gabled roofs adapted to withstand heavy mountain rainfall, and the streets follow the natural terrain. The architectural centrepiece is the Khan’s Palace, built in 1762, which is renowned for its “Shabaka” windows—wooden lattices filled with coloured glass assembled entirely without nails or glue—and its interior frescoes, which reflect the wealth generated by the region’s historic silk trade.