Sheki: Azerbaijan’s Silk Road Gem Now Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Before Azerbaijan gained fame for its oil, it was renowned for its rich trade in silk and spices.

Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, bordered by the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, Sheki played a crucial role in the Silk Road, the ancient network of trade routes connecting the East with the West.

By the 19th century, Sheki had become a thriving international hub for silk production, nestled along the Silk Road route through northwest Azerbaijan.

Today, Sheki stands as one of Azerbaijan’s most scenic towns, with charming cobbled streets and medieval architecture, offering a serene escape from the dry southern regions.

While it’s largely been overlooked by tourists, that’s about to change: In July 2019, Sheki’s historic center and Khan Palace were added to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage list.

Caravanserais: Roadside Inns of the Silk Road

Nestled high in the Caucasus Mountains and hidden from the world by dense forests, these caravanserais once served as resting places for traders and their cargo-laden animals on their journeys to Tbilisi or Baku, with Sheki hosting five of these inns.

Once scattered along the Silk Roads, these inns now offer modern travelers a glimpse into the past. In 2018, Azerbaijan welcomed a record 2.8 million international tourists, some of whom stay at the historic 18th-century Yukhari Karavansaray Hotel.

Located halfway up M.F. Axundov Street in Sheki’s Old Town, the hotel resembles a mini fortress, with entry through a grand wooden door that’s still in its original form.

Inside, a two-tiered arcade of arches surrounds a tranquil central courtyard. Once a place where traders’ camels were tethered, the space now features lush trees and cozy seating areas.

The rooms, with their vaulted brick ceilings and small windows, provide natural cooling in the summer, though the winters can feel a bit chilly.

For those seeking more luxurious accommodations, Sheki offers other high-end options, while the caravanserai remains a must-see attraction in the town.

Day visitors can explore the courtyard from noon to 7 p.m., while overnight guests enjoy the entire space in the peaceful morning and evening hours.

There’s a spacious garden restaurant at the rear, as well as a charming stone-walled tea house that creates a cozy atmosphere.

The Sheki Khans Palace

Just a short walk up the hill lies Sheki’s premier attraction: the summer palace of the Sheki Khans, who ruled this part of the Caucasus from 1743 to 1819.

Built in the late 18th century, the two-story palace dazzles with its intricate and decorative architecture, both inside and out.

This visually stunning and perfectly symmetrical masterpiece blends Russian wood, French-styled glass, Ottoman ceramics, and Iranian mirrorwork to create a unique architectural gem.

The facade is largely adorned with a mosaic of colorful glass pieces set within a wooden lattice, known as shebeke, a traditional technique crafted without nails or glue. Shebeke art can be seen throughout Sheki.

Inside, all six rooms are decorated with intricate frescoes depicting vibrant flowers, wildlife, and scenes of battles and hunting.

While the Russian invasion in the early 19th century brought an end to the khanate, the beautifully crafted palace and its serene gardens have remained untouched, continuing to captivate visitors for generations.

English-language tours can be arranged ahead of time for those interested in exploring this historical site.

Reflecting its cosmopolitan heritage, Sheki has a rich history of religious diversity, with numerous churches and mosques scattered throughout the region.

Just a few kilometers north of the town, the Church of Kish – completed in the first century CE and later serving as a Caucasian Albanian church – stands as one of Azerbaijan’s oldest structures.

Sheki’s main streets are lined with souvenir shops selling ceramics, samovars, and scarves crafted from the town’s renowned silk.

Piti, a hearty meat stew served with bread, is the town's specialty, while halva – a sweet made from sugar and nuts – is expertly crafted at Aliahmed Sweets.

Outside the town, the ancient Silk Road routes remain active, still frequented by traders.

While Soviet-era Zhiguli cars mix with modern vehicles, roadside vendors offer tandir bread – dough pressed against the side of a clay oven – and qutab, a light pastry filled with greens and seasoned with sumac.

Hungry travelers pause at roadside spots to enjoy freshly brewed tea and snacks, seated at makeshift tables beneath the shade of trees.

Thanks to Azerbaijan’s introduction of easy three-day visas in 2017, this scenic route through the Caucasus remains as bustling as ever.

Yukhari Karavansaray Hotel, M.F. Axundov Street 85, Sheki AZ5500, Azerbaijan; +994 55 7555570

Palace of Sheki Khans, Sheki 0055, Azerbaijan; +994 55 619 75 88

Aliahmed Sweets, 122 Mirzə Fətəli Axundov Street, Sheki, Azerbaijan; +994 55 842 42 42