Why the ‘Land of Fire’ brims with formidable castles and fortresses

By Tom Marsden, CNN
6 minute read
Updated 10:02 PM EST, Mon November 20, 2023
<strong>Old City of Baku: </strong>You don't have to travel far to see Azerbaijan's impressive history. The heart of its capital city, Baku, is itself a medieval citadel.
Old City of Baku: You don't have to travel far to see Azerbaijan's impressive history. The heart of its capital city, Baku, is itself a medieval citadel.
Azerbaijan Brand Center
<strong>Quadrangular Mardakan Castle: </strong>This quadrangular fortress in the historic village of Mardakan was built by the Shirvanshah dynasty ruler Akhsitan I in the late 12th century.
Quadrangular Mardakan Castle: This quadrangular fortress in the historic village of Mardakan was built by the Shirvanshah dynasty ruler Akhsitan I in the late 12th century.
Boris Masyura/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>Chirag Gala: </strong>These fortified fragments of a tower and wall in the northeastern Shabran region are said to date back to the sixth century and the era of Sassanid Persia.
Chirag Gala: These fortified fragments of a tower and wall in the northeastern Shabran region are said to date back to the sixth century and the era of Sassanid Persia.
Boris Masyura/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>Sheki Fortress: </strong>This expansive fortress at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains is a key part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Center of Sheki.
Sheki Fortress: This expansive fortress at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains is a key part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Center of Sheki.
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<strong>Sumug Tower:</strong> This two-toned tower, made from stone and brick, stands proudly at the base of the Caucasus Mountains near the charming northwestern village of Ilisu.
Sumug Tower: This two-toned tower, made from stone and brick, stands proudly at the base of the Caucasus Mountains near the charming northwestern village of Ilisu.
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<strong>Zaqatala Fortress: </strong>Dominating the city center of Zaqatala is a formidable fortress built in 1830 at the behest of Russian general Ivan Paskevich.
Zaqatala Fortress: Dominating the city center of Zaqatala is a formidable fortress built in 1830 at the behest of Russian general Ivan Paskevich.
Matyas Rehak/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>Shusha Fortress: </strong>Shusha is a city of great cultural and historical significance. It grew up around a fortress built in the 1750s by Panah Ali Khan, founder of the Karabakh Khanate (1748-1822).
Shusha Fortress: Shusha is a city of great cultural and historical significance. It grew up around a fortress built in the 1750s by Panah Ali Khan, founder of the Karabakh Khanate (1748-1822).
Nurlan Mammadzada/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>Alinja Castle: </strong>The jaw-dropping location of this legendary castle, lying across the peak of Mount Alinja, has prompted comparisons with Peru's Machu Picchu.
Alinja Castle: The jaw-dropping location of this legendary castle, lying across the peak of Mount Alinja, has prompted comparisons with Peru's Machu Picchu.
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