The spherical domes
On high drums.
Ludvig14 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY 4.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY 4.0 · Aykhan Zayedzadeh — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleums, whose name means «Seven Domes», stand in a historic cemetery on a hill about 1.5 km south of Shamakhi. Three complete mausoleums survive, while the others are ruined and lack domes or walls, surrounded by leaning gravestones and with a wide view towards the city. They were built for the family of Mustafa Khan, the last khan of Shamakhi, by the master Taghi, whose name appears in an inscription. A carved inscription dates the oldest to 1810, and they belong to the Shirvan-Absheron school of architecture. Shamakhi was long a capital of Shirvan, which links this cemetery to the last chapter of that history. Each mausoleum is eight-sided outside, with niches under half domes on its faces, rising to a spherical dome on a high drum, with a cornice of black stone and simple muqarnas. They are faced with white stone inside and out, and all three share the same style. The old gravestones among the grass are a striking feature, finest in low light. It is about 1.4 km in a straight line from central Shamakhi, so it pairs well with the city's Juma Mosque on a trip from Baku. This is a cemetery, so behave with respect and do not walk on the gravestones. The ground is uneven, so wear suitable shoes. There are few services at the site, so bring water.
On high drums.
Leaning among the grass.
The city from the hilltop.
Cemetery south of Shamakhi, about 1.5 km from the centre
The group was once larger, and only three complete mausoleums remain today.
Yes, the site is close to the centre and suits a day trip from Baku.
