Ağstafa: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The Qarayazı-Aghstafa State Nature Sanctuary covers 10,000 hectares with riparian forests, mixed woodland, scrubland, reed beds, open areas, pastureland, gravel areas and bodies of water. Protected mammals and birds include red deer, wild boar, pheasants, ducks and quails, among others.

Nature

The Qarayazı State Nature Reserve is located within Aghstafa Rayon. The 9,658-hectare reserve is designated as a protected area for plants and birds listed in the Red Book.

The area surrounding Aghstafa includes Qırılıtəpə, Üçgöl Dağı, Haçadağ, Roşa Dağı and Sarıtəpə Dağı.

Culture and History

The Töyrətəpə settlement in the Aşağı Göyçəli area dates from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. Archaeological research at Töyrətəpə, Şomutəpə and Qarğalar təpəsi documented Neolithic agriculture, animal husbandry, settled life and the cold working of copper.

The Keşikçidağ State Historical-Cultural Reserve is located in Ceyrançöl in Aghstafa Rayon, on the Georgian border and 75 kilometres from the rayon centre. Access requires a special permit from the State Border Service. The reserve is used as a demonstration site.

The first Albanian temple in Keşikçidağ is a medieval monument that preserves features of Albanian architecture.

The Shulaveri–Shomutepe culture, associated with the Shomutepe archaeological site near Aghstafa, is described as contributing to knowledge about ancient winemaking.

Geographical Context

The wider regional surroundings of Aghstafa include Odzak’ar, Honut and Norasheni. The Surb Vardan Church is located in the area surrounding Aghstafa.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Ağstafa can then visit further destinations: Naftalan, Shahdag, Turist, Sis, Nakhchivan, Badashkhan, Zaqatala and Kuzun.

For the higher-level travel overview: Azerbaijan.