Istisu

Istisu lies among the mountains of the Kalbajar district, on the upper reaches of the Tartar River. Its name — "hot water" — comes from the hot springs here. Legend has it that even the rulers of ancient Caucasian Albania bathed in them.

In the 20th century Istisu was one of Azerbaijan's best-known spa resorts: its water was used to treat digestive and metabolic conditions, and Istisu mineral water was popular across the region.

Kalbajar returned to Azerbaijan on 25 November 2020. A new mineral water plant has been built beside the springs, and Istisu is once again bottled at its source. The resort's treatment and recreation centre is also being rebuilt.