Northwest of Azerbaijan - Zakatala - Lakit (Gakh) village Mamyrly waterfall
There was an opportunity to go to the north-west of Azerbaijan, the city of Zagatala. The city is located 390 km (6 hours drive) from Baku on the highway Baku - Sheki - Border with Georgia, went through Shemakha, Gabala, Oguz, Sheki, Gakh. So picturesque, through forests and mountain passes.
I've been here a couple of times, but 3-4 years ago, I didn't notice any cardinal changes, except for the fact that a 1500-year-old plane tree was cut down on Meydan. They say he was rotten from the inside and was dangerous for passers-by and nearby houses. Instead, low-growing cypresses and fir trees were planted. It may be beautiful in the evening, but it is a remake and in the summer it is hot here during the day. The Zakatala fortress was opened for public access (Qala Dü zü was built in 1830). The one that was taken by Shamil's troops. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to get inside the fortress again. Admission is free, but only open on weekdays from 10:00 to 18:00. It's strange, of course, but tourists come here mainly for the weekend. In time, I hope it will be restored. While the view is abandoned. From Meydan you can see the still abandoned Russian Orthodox Church. Kind of dull. Not a roof, not a plaster plainly left. The stench and heaps of rubbish. There are practically no Orthodox diasporas in those parts. The state has no money for restoration. Here it is, the legacy of the empire is waiting for its fate. And it's practically the center of the city. Some streets have been restored and given their historical appearance of river stone and brick. It doesn't look bad and looks different. The population of these lands is ethnically diverse: Azerbaijanis, Avars, Tsakhurs, Lezgins, Rutuls, Ingiloys (Muslim Georgians). They speak different languages, but the language of interethnic communication is Azerbaijani. This may have been reflected in the architecture of this relatively young city. There was little time, so it was not possible to go anywhere else in Zagatala themselves. Although I planned to go to the Gyabzdarya waterfall. But the locals said that they were not allowed there, a reserve or something like that. Too bad.
The main purpose of the trip was Mam? rl? (41.491643, 46.858894) (Mamyr in Azerbaijani means moss) in the village of Lakit (L? kit) of the Gakh region. The village is located on the old Gakh-Zakatala road at a distance of 10 km from Gakh and 20 km from Zakatala. But the road is now under repair and the section from Zakatal is in a terrible state, I had to go to Gakh and then on fresh asphalt to Lakit. Further 2 km, a rural road turns into a dirt road along narrow rural streets. The children show the way, then you need to go 4x4, although I see that the "craftsmen" drove through the Opel. Parking among the hazel in the form of a mini teahouse-canteen, tables are rented and tea can be ordered. Further only on foot over the stones along a narrow steep path, along a mountain stream. They say 1 km, but it seems to be closer. In any case, they arrived. A small waterfall, covered in moss. The water is clean, apparently drinking, because everywhere there are handwritten announcements that you can’t swim, because the water is used for drinking. There is a poster with an inscription that the Mamyrly waterfall is protected by the state and is a natural monument. Something unusual, I have not seen anything like it. There is not much water and it is not large in size. But it's beautiful. Right there they put a samovar 5 meters away and you can drink tea with jam, 3-5 mana. But we went down to drink tea down to the parking lot. Blackberry jam, it turned out to be quite tasty.
Not far from the village of Lakit, on the way to the village of Kotuklu, there are the ruins of Yeddi Kilis (Azerb. Yeddi Kilis? - seven churches) (41.515278 °, 46.878333 °) - an architectural complex consisting of several religious buildings. According to the order of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan on historical and cultural monuments, it is an architectural monument of local importance. But unfortunately there was no time to visit. In total, we spent 2-2.5 hours in Lakit, we still had to return to Baku, and this is 350 km at least 5.5 hours, if without stops, which we still have to do. At least in order to have lunch in one of the roadside cafes. On the way I noticed a group of 5 motorcyclists from Russia. They drove more than 120 km/h along the Shamakhi road towards Baku. Extreme though.
In general, a short but interesting outing turned out.
