Shamakhy city
Shamakhi district is a center of Shirvan region. Center of the district, Shamakhi city, has become a main city of feudal state of the Shirvanshah already in VI century. Remains of the construction and objects discovered during archeological digs confirm existence of the city already in 2,5-3 thousand years ago. Shamakhi is noted in the works of ancient Greek historian Ptolomei among the cities of Caucasian Albania. Caravans from the Far East and India were coming here loaded with the silk. Since the old years, Shamakhi was famous for its gardens and silk cloths. Various kinds of fields were developed here in the Middle ages. Embossing with ornaments from copper, highly artistic decorations, objects of the home appliance were made here with skill.The city has changed its name for the centurial existence many times. Such names as Shirvan, sharvan, Khairvan, Ashshmakh, Shakhmakh, Shamukh etc. can be met in various sources and various historical periods. According to one of the versions, Shamakhi name origins is the words "shakh" - big and "makh" - city. According to another version it origins in the world "sham" - Arabic name of the city of Damask and "akhi" (ekhi) - "double", "similar". The Syrians who moved here were comparing it with Damask by its beauty and eminence.