Ancient capital and modern jazz.

     

Gabala (Azerbaijani: Qəbələ)  (Lezgian: Кьвепеле), also known as Qabala, is the most ancient city of Azerbaijan and the capital of the Qabala Rayon. The municipality consists of the city of Gabala and the village of Küsnat.  Before 1991 the city was known as Kutkashen, but after Azerbaijan's independence the town was renamed in honour of the much older city of Gabala, the former capital of Caucasian Albania, the archaeological site of which is about 20 km southwest.

History

Antiquity

      In the 60s BC, Roman troops attacked Caucasian Albania but did not succeed in capturing the Qabala territory. In 262 AD, Caucasian Albania was occupied by Sassanid Empire but preserved its political and economic status. In 464, it lost its independence due to years of invasions from the northern nomadic tribes and had to move its capital city to Partava(currently Barda in Azerbaijan).Gabala is ancient capital of the Caucasian Albania. Archeological evidence indicates that the city functioned as the capital of the Caucasian Albania as early as the 4th century BC. Ruins of the ancient town are in 15 km from regional center, allocated on the territory between Garachay and Jourluchay rivers. Gabala was located in the middle of the 2,500 year oldSilk Road and was mentioned in works of Pliny the Younger as "Kabalaka", Greek geographer Ptolemy as "Khabala", Arabic historian Ahmad ibn Yahya al-Baladhuri as "Khazar". In the 19th century, the Azerbaijani historian Abbasgulu Bakikhanovmentioned in his book Gulistani Irem that Kbala or Khabala were in fact Gabala.

Feudal era

Gabala was occupied by Shirvanshah Fariburz, King David IV of Georgia in 1120, Mongol khan Timurleng in 1386, Safavidshah Tahmasib I in 1538, Persian Nader Shah in 1734 but was able to preserve its culture and identity. After the death of Nader Shah in 1747, Azerbaijan split into independent khanates and sultanates and Gabala became a Qutqashen Sultanate. It was also called Gabala Mahali. After Azerbaijan was occupied by the Russian Empire in 1813 it conducted administrative reforms and in 1841 Azerbaijani khanates were terminated and the territories were incorporated into governorates. Gabala area was added to Nukha uyezd of Elisabethpol Governorate. Due to archeological finds in Gabala, it was declared a National State Reserve in 1985.

Republic era

As of 2010s, Gabala is emerging as a magnet for events, such as the summit of Turkic Council in 2013. In 2013, the city was declared the Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States, in recognition of its long contribution to the history of Azerbaijan and the region. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Gabala embarked on a process of restructuring on a scale unseen in its history. Thousands of buildings from the Soviet period were demolished to make way for a green belt on its shores; parks and gardens were built on the land reclaimed by filling up the foothill of Gabala. Improvements were made in the general cleaning, maintenance, and garbage collection, and these services are now at Western European standards. The city is growing dynamically and developing at full speed on an north axis along the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Geography

The geographical position and mountainous relief of the city greatly influenced on formation of complex climate conditions in vertical droughty area, as well as on density of river network and richness of soil-vegetation cover. Relief and humid climate conditions of Gabala region led to formation of a thick river network in the area. The rivers of the city refer to the left branches of Kura basin and runs directly into Kura or the rivers of Shirvan zone.

The city is rich with chestnut and hazelnut trees.

Demographics

The economy of Gabala is partially agricultural, partially tourist based, with some manufacturing industries, mainly for food preserves, tobacco and silkworm cocoon drying. The city's main manufacturing industries companies involved in; engineering, construction, brewing and distilling and food manufacturing. There is also "Beltman" piano factory, founded in 1901 by Johann Beltman in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 

Economy

Tourism and shopping

Gabala is considered a popular tourist destination due to the combination of a very good spring climate, woods along the mountains and excellent fauna was exploited by the construction of large numbers of hotels and apartments in city. Many sizable world hotel chains have a presence in the city.

The city contains "Gabaland" amusement park, an ice skating rink and a Greek-style theatre, built especially for outside concerts. Gabala has several shopping malls; the most famous city center mall is Gabala Mall.

Gabala is home to Tufan Ski Complex, one of the biggest ski resorts in Caucasus. The complex serves up to 3,000 people a day.

Culture

               Gabala also boasts many museums such as Historical Ethnography Museum of Gabala and Gabala Cultural Centre, most notably featuring Folk Theatre named after Jalil Mammadguluzadeh. Since 2009, city has been home of Gabala International Music Festival, which included performances from classical and jazz performers such as Al Jarreau and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Landmarks

Another landmark is the large Qabala Radar station, on the southern horizon as seen from Gabala, is one of only two Daryal-type missile early warning stations in the former USSR.Gabala is renowned for the ruins of an ancient walled city, Chukhur Gabala, dating back to the 4th century BC. The city has a large war memorial, numerous ancient stone houses and the Rashidbek monument, which is shaped as a huge book.

Parks and gardens

Gabala has large sections of greenery either preserved by the National Government or designated as green zones. The city includes "Gabalaland", which is the largest amusement park in Azerbaijan.

Sports

The city has one professional football team competing in the top-flight of Azerbaijani football – Gabala, currently playing in the Azerbaijan Premier League. The team was managed by former England and Arsenal player Tony Adams in 2010-11 season. The clubs holds its home games in the Gabala City Stadium.

The Gabala Horse Racing Complex is used for horse-racing tournaments. As of 2013, there is Gabala Shooting Club functions in the city.

Transport

Public transport

The city has a large urban transport system, mostly managed by the Ministry of Transportation.

Air

Qabala Airport is the only airport in the city, serves a number of domestic and international destinations including Russia.

Education

There are 4 primary schools, 4 secondary schools and 4 special schools in the town.

Healthcare

Gabala Central Regional Hospital is the largest hospital in the city, Gabala Children's Hospital and Gabala Treatment and Diagnostic Center, which specialises in rehabilitation and long term illnesses and conditions.