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All Azerbaijan Alinja Alinjagala

Alinjagala

In the foothills of the lesser Caucasus, a centuries-old fortress still stands.

Alinja, Azerbaijan

Added By
julianfkeller99
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Alinjagala   Sefer azeri/CC BY-SA 4.0
Alinjagala   Sefer azeri/CC BY-SA 4.0
Alinjagala   Sefer azeri/CC BY-SA 4.0
Alinjagala   Sefer azeri/CC BY-SA 4.0
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About

Atop Alinja Mountain in Azerbaijan sits an impressive fortress known as Alinjagala or Alinja Tower. Though the exact details of its origins are not known, historical evidence points to a fortification at this site dating back to the first century, established by the Armenian lords of Syunik.

The mountaintop fortress had dozens of buildings, including barracks, warehouses, a bathhouse, stables, kitchens, an arsenal, treasury, and the ruler’s palace. It is surrounded by thick stone walls, and accessible by a steep hiking path.

Over the centuries, multiple families of lords came and went, but the imposing fortress stands still on its sloped foundation in the slope of a mountain in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, a large exclave of Azerbaijan. From its position overlooking the Alinjachay, it has withstood many attacks. A common story holds that, in the 14th century, the fortress survived a 14-year siege.

In 2014, Alinjagala was recognized as a historical and cultural museum-reserve.

Related Tags

History & Culture Fortresses Towers
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Caucasus Road Trip: Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia

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Added By

julianfkeller99

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

January 12, 2022

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Sources
  • https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2018/02/20/journey-heydarabad-alinjagala-fortress/
  • http://elinceqala.naxcivan.az/en/index.php/2016-08-23-13-12-26
  • https://www.eurasiareview.com/20042015-azerbaijan-city-of-julfa-home-of-alinjagala-castle/
  • http://virtualnakhchivan.az/en/alinjagala
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alinja_Tower
Alinjagala
Alinja
Azerbaijan
39.194414, 45.696859

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