ACityIndependent states
Shusha
The crown of Karabakh and Azerbaijan's cultural capital. Founded in 1752, liberated on 8 November 2020, and Cultural Capital of the Turkic World in 2023.
Shusha was founded in 1752 by Panah Ali Khan of Karabakh as a fortress town on a rocky plateau and became the capital of the Karabakh Khanate. For centuries it was regarded as the cradle of Azerbaijani music and poetry: Natavan, Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Bulbul and many mugham singers came from here, and it was called "the conservatory of the Caucasus".
Occupied in 1992, the city was liberated on 8 November 2020 during the 44-day Patriotic War; the day is marked as Victory Day. In 2021 Shusha was declared Azerbaijan's cultural capital, and the Shusha Declaration on alliance between Azerbaijan and Türkiye was signed here.
The Jidir Plain, the Upper and Lower Govhar Agha mosques, Natavan's house and restored old quarters are its main sights. The Kharibulbul music festival is held here every year. Shusha was the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World in 2023, and in July 2024 it hosted an informal summit of the OTS.
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Updated: October 1, 2026