Shaki

The original settlement dates back to the late Bronze Age. Shaki is famous for the 18th century summer palace, which housed the Khan. Shaki also played a major role as an important stop on the silk route.

During its millennial historical the town used to be devastated many times, so the most part of the historic and architectural monuments currently preserved are dated to the 16th-19th centuries. For many centuries, Shaki has been famous as the basic centre of silkworm-breeding. Located on the left bank of the river Kish, originally the town sited lower down the hill, however Shaki was moved to its present location after a devastating mud flood in 1772. As the new location was near the village of Nukha, the city became also known as Nukha, until 1960 when it reverted back to the name Shaki, after the Sak tribe.