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| Culfa (Julfa) Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Destruction of Armenian Khatchkars in February 2206, by soldiers of the Azerbaijani army, in Old Jugha. Destruction of Armenian Khatchkars in February 2206, by soldiers of the Azerbaijani army, in Old Jugha. HOVSEPIAN Hamlet Julfa is a border town on the southern part of the Nakhchivan exclave. It is pleasantly located on the left bank of the river Araz, in front of its sister town across the river: Jolfa in the Iranian province of Central Azerbaijan. |
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| North of the town, on the south slopes of the Daridaq range are located the
famous Daridaq springs. Their water contains iodine and cyanide, being used
for medical purposes. Nearby arsenic deposits are also found. Today's town is but a shadow of its past. Julfa was an important cultural and trade centre, located in an area that had both muslim and christian towns. Julfa was part of the ancient caravan routes, then known by its Armenian name - Jugha. However the wars between Turkey and Persia during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries brought a lot of suffering to the region. Julfa's region was given to Persia in 1555 by the treaty of Amasia, being recaptured by the Turks in 1570-90. Persia under Shah Abas I tried to regain the area, conquering large extents of territory in 1603. Even through these events, Julfa managed to survive. It had a population of over 20.000 souls. A Portuguese traveller, by the name of Belchior, was in Julfa in 1604, reporting a large thriving town with Christian population. But 1604 was to be Julfa's meeting with its fate. Shah Abas realized that he could no longer defend his conquests against superior Turkish forces and ordered a retreat. Just weeks after Belchior's visit, the Shah ordered not only a military retreat, but also the en masse deportation of Julfa's citizens and the burning of the town. The population was taken to Isphahan, were Julfa's artisans became famous in the grand constructions promoted by Shah Abas. In Isphahan they created a new settlement known as 'Nor Jugha', or 'New Julfa', which still subsists today as a Christian enclave in Muslim Isphahan. The odyssey of these Julfans is well depicted in the murals of Isphahan's Vank Cathedral Julfa proper was left to be devastated by invaders, plunderers, nature and time itself. For a long time it had a small population made of muslim people who came from the neighbouring villages. Large sections of old Julfa were destroyed in the first years of the 20th century to build a railway line. Old Julfa is locallly known as 'Cuga'. Today you can still imagine Julfa's former grandeur, visiting what's left of the Andreordi, Pobloz and St. Astvadsadsin churches, the main caravanserai, the 10th century fortress, the remains of the bridge across the Aras, the 13th century Gulistan 'turbe' and the vast cemetery with thousands of artistically sculpted tomb stones known as 'Khachkars'. Outside old Julfa, in a mountain gorge, don't miss also the 13th century Amenaprkich monastery. Present day Julfa was founded only in 1848, about 2 kilometres east from ruined old town. In modern Julfa there is not much to see, the mosque is pleasant and the train station is rather exuberant (there are rail services to Nakhchivan city). The very basic Soviet hotel is near the station. Today Julfa is again growing in importance, as the main crossing point between Nakhichevan and Iran, both for rail and road traffic (it is served by rail since 1906) . If you wish to cross into Iran, expect long delays at the border, however entering Iran is now a lot easier than a few years ago (see Iranian visas ). The Iranian government is quite eager for the Euros brought in by the tourists, although they still prefer 'package tours' to independent travellers. Anyway, if you are looking for a place to stay there is a nice guest house in Jolfa, which is a lot better than the hotel in Julfa. If you cross the border do not miss the church of St. Stephan, before you head further south. (450 km southwest of Baku) Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: www.azerb.com _________Sights Edit This 1. Architectural monuments The Gulistan burial vault is located near the Gulistan village and dates back to the 13th century. The stone bridge is located on the Alindjachay river in the northeast of Arasfa village. Arasfa temple is located on the hill at the left bank of the Alindjachay in the Arasfa village of Djulfa. It dates back to the Middle Ages. The architectural complex Khanagahy is situated at the bank of Alindjachay in Khanegah village and dates back to the Middle Ages. The burial vault of Khanegah is located at the bank of the Alindjachay river of Khanegah village and dates back to the Middle Ages. The Cuma Mosque of Kyrna is located in the Kyrna village. The burial vault of Naimi is located near Khanegah village of Julfa and was called the burial vault of Naimi as it was established on the grave of philosopher and writer Fazlullah Naimi. It dates back to the Middle Ages. 2. Historical monuments: Ashabi-Kehf is located between the Ilandagh and Nahadjir mountains of Julfa and dates back to the 4th century B.C. The reconstruction and restoration works were carried out in the Ashabi-Kehf , favorable conditions were created for pilgrims, comfortable roads were established at the distance of 13 kilometers. The Gazanchy tower is located in the north of the Gazanchy village of Julfa and on the both banks of the Alindjachay river and dates back to the early 2-1st millenniums B.C. The Gazanchy bridge is located in the Gazanchy village of Julfa and dates back to the 15-16th centuries. The dervish place of Sheikh Khorasan is located near the Khanegah village at the foothills of the Alindja tower. It dates back to the Middle Ages. The Alindja tower is located at the peak of the Alindja mountain at the right bank of the Alindjachay river of Khanegah village. On the basis of historical sources the researchers refer the establishment of the tower to the 3-7th centuries. ________History Edit This Julfa is one of the ancient cities of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic. Its establishment dates back to the 6th century according to some historical sources. The word Julfa is proposed to originate from the name of a trade organization of the Middle Ages. Some sources mention Julfa as Djulagh. The ruins of ancient Julfa are 3 kilometers away from the present day city. The settlements, tower walls, caravan palaces, the ruins of market and religious establishments as well as ancient cemeteries were discovered there. The archeological digs in the Julfa city of 1939-1940 revealed the monochrome and polychrome clayey dishes, bronze dagger, arrow and javelin heads, mace, bracelet and necklace. Julfa that situates on the transit caravan road has always been of great importance and the economic role of the region also increased. The handicraft and trade even expanded in Julfa in the 9-12th centuries. It started to play an important role in the international silk trade in the second half of the 11th century. At that period nearly 3000 houses existed in the district (with the population of 15-20 thousand people). The merchants of Julfa maintained silk trade relations with Russia, Eastern countries, Venetia, Marcel and other European cities. The district was confirmed as the administrative district of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan in 1930. _________Practical Information Edit This Information on recreation and tourism zones, sport complexes Julfa accounts for the Youth and Sport School of Julfa district, the Railway Club of Djulfa, the football, volleyball and basketball grounds of Djulfa, 9 gymnasiums and the sport halls and grounds constructed in the secondary schools within the last few years. Contributors April 16, 2006 new by azerbaijan08 [Add Practical address] JULFA DISTRICT POLICE DIVISION Edit This JULFA DISTRICT POLICE DIVISION H.Aliyev prospekti Index 7200 Chief 6-02-00 Duty service 6-06-40 type: Health and Safety World66 rating: [rate it] __________Museums Edit This add museums please Contributors April 18, 2006 new by azerbaijan08 (2 points) [Add Museum] Julfa Regional museum Edit This Julfa Regional museum –The Museum was founder in accordance with the Resolution of Soviet Ministers dated February 13, 1981. Being consisted of 5 divisions in the museum there are being exhibited more than 2000 exponents. In the result of carried out archeological research works during certain period of times the material and cultural samples are being cared and stored in the museum. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: Telephone 6-18-13 address: Address: Julfa city, Khagani street 1 |