Distance from Baku

384 km

Population

59,1 thsd person

How to get to

Auto transportation: buses Baku – Goygol, Baku – Gandja

Goygol district located in the western part of Azerbaijan is one of the most picturesque regions of the country. The State Goygol reserve is located on the banks of the famous Goygol lake. The climate in this area is mostly cold and winters as a rule are always dry. An average annual temperature ranges between 4 – 10 degrees.
The centre of the district formerly was called Elenendorf. It was founded by German colonists in August 22, 1819 at the place of an ancient village Hanlyglar that later formed a base of Hanlar city. Now Goygol district illustrates the friendship between Azerbaijan and German nations. A lot of work was done here to preserve the German heritage.
The district has about 30 historical and architectural monuments of art.

The Hanlar city has German church “Luteran” built in 1854, two bridges belonging to the XVI century, three bridges built in 1896, White bridge belonging to the XII century, 9 architectural monuments of art built in the XIX century by Germans. The following objects are of interest as well: the church “Gabriel” built in Shahriyar village in 1674, the mausoleum “Anagid” in Chaykend village, St. Mary’s church, the Albanian church built at a distance of 300 m from the village of Yeni-Zond, the Maiden tower in Uchbulag village, cemeteries of the late Bronze Age – early Iron Age in the villages Gushgara and Balchili.
There is a stadium in the centre of the district that meets all modern requirements. A number of settlements and villages have sport complexes as well.

The main attraction of Goygol district is the reserve of the same name founded in 1925, the first in Azerbaijan, by the way. Its total area is 7131 hectares. When the reserve was created the main goal was to preserve and in some areas to restore the mountain forest, mountain-meadow and mountain lake natural complexes. The entire territory of the Goygol reserve is devided by very deep valleys where run beautiful, though not very big but turbulent rivers.
In the reserve you can enjoy wonderful lakes (about ten in there: Maralgol, Garagol, Zeligel, Aggol, Shamilgol etc.) the most famous of which is formed by an earthquake in 1139 the Goygol lake.
In addition to a huge number of different plants in the reserve there are protected rare and endangered species. Among the inhabitants of these forests the following animals are especially protected: deer, spotted deer, wild goat, bear, hares, boars, Caucasian deer and many other unique animals.
Beautiful and diverse nature, rich flora and fauna of the Goygol national park create the necessary preconditions for the development of ecotourism in this area that will attract tourists and visitors.