Gabala, Kislovodsk sign protocol of intent to become sister cities

By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan’s tourist city Gabala and Russian resort city Kislovodsk have signed a protocol of intent to become sister cities. The document was signed by Gabala District Executive Authority head Sabuhi Abdullayev and head of Kislovodsk city administration Alexander Kurbatov as part of celebrations of Kislovodsk Day.

Abdullayev also had meetings with Kislovodsk city administration officials to discuss prospects for cooperation in agriculture, industry, culture and tourism, Azertac reported.

Gabala, the ancient capital of Caucasian Albania, is beautiful part of Azerbaijan with a rich and ancient history.

A great number of historical and cultural monuments are located in this region.

The local attractions of the city include the Albanian church, tombs of Sheikh Badraddin and Sheikh Mansur of 15th century in Hazra village, so called Russian forest, picturesque villages, the famous Chestnut forest and much more.

There is also Nij village inhabited by Udi, descendants of the ancient Caucasian Albanians.

The city functioned as the capital of Caucasian Albania as early as 4th century BC. The ruins of the ancient town are situated 15 km from the regional center. The excavations near the village Chukhur confirm that Gabala from 4-3 centuries BC and up to the 18th century was one of the major cities with developed trade and crafts.

The largest open air amusement park in Azerbaijan – Gabaland is also there.

The town hosts an annual International Music Festival of classical music, jazz and mugham, which is attended by renewed bands and musicians.

The largest amusement park-Gabaland provides visitors different kinds of attractions, including ice arena, carting, sports fields, etc.

Kislovodsk is a spa city, surrounded with slopes of the main Caucasian ridge.

The picturesque valley attracts a number of tourists. People and guests often call it “city of the Sun”. Number of sunny days a year is almost two times as much than in Pyatigorsk or Essentuki.

Extension of the valley from the south-east to the north-west is about 4 km. It is a lower terrace of Betchasinsky plateau which, constantly arising to the south-west, forms Bermamitskie altitudes, bordering upon Elbrus.

From the east the city is protected with hills and a chain of cretaceous mountains, forming the middle part of Dzinalskiy ridge.

Narzan gallery, built in 1848-1858 exists up to the present. Upton built the gallery in medieval English style. A wonderful music bandstand, which was called crystal for high acoustics.

Kisslovodsk becomes one of the famous resort .Over 25,000 people received treatment in Kislovodsk already in 1904. During I World War visiting the waters stopped at all and the resort was turned into a huge hospital for wounded men and disabled veterans.

The development of the resort began after the revolution of 1917.New sanatoriums, resort polyclinics, institution for mud-cure were built. Besides spring Narzan, waters of another 6 springs, including Dolomitniy Narzan, Sulfate narzan were also  led out.