About Shusha

The city of Shusha was founded in 1752 by Panahali Khan of Javanshir, those days ruler of Karabakh khanate.

According to historical records, although Panahali Khan built fortresses named Bayat and Shahbulag in Agdam district in 1750 to protect against constant attacks, none of these fortresses could protect the khanate from ongoing attacks and wars.

The mountain plateau, located at an altitude of 1300-1600 meters above sea level and surrounded by steep rocks on three sides, fully met these requirements, so Panahali khan built the city there.

The city was originally named Panahabad in the honor of the founder.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Shusha became the musical center of the Caucasus. Shusha used to call "the Temple of Art of the Caucasus", "the Cradle of Azerbaijani music" and the "the Conservatory of the Caucasus". Famous Azerbaijani intellectuals and artists such as Uzeyir Hajibeyov, Bulbul, Khan Shushinsky, Firudin bey Kocharli, Abdurrahim bey Vazirov, Abdurrahim bey Hagverdiyev, Khurshidbanu Natavan, Hamida khanum Javanshir, Ahmad bey Agaoglu are originally from Shusha.

The city of Shusha is considered a resort city due to its nature and fresh air and its therapeutic value as well. 

Before the occupation of the city, there were dozens of museums, several secondary and higher education institutions, schools and libraries. On May 8, 1992, the city of Shusha was occupied by the Armenian armed forces. After the occupation, the population of the city was displaced in different regions of Azerbaijan. 

During the occupation of Shusha, 195 people were killed and 165 were injured. In addition, 55 people were captured or taken hostage. As a result of the occupation, about 22,000 Azerbaijani citizens were displaced.

On November 8, 2020, Shusha was liberated from the occupation of Armenian vandals by our heroic army and declared the cultural capital of Azerbaijan thanks to the determination of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and the heroic fighting of the Azerbaijan soldiers. SHUSHA, YOU ARE FREE!