Palace of Shaki Khans
| Palace of Shaki Khans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Official name | Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (v) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reference | 1549 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inscription | 2019 (43rd Session) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Area | 120.5 ha | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Buffer zone | 146 ha | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Palace of Shaki Khans (Azerbaijani: Şəki xan sarayı or Şəki xanlarının sarayı) in Shaki, northwestern Azerbaijan, is a historic monument that once served as the summer residence of the Shaki khans. It was constructed in 1797 under the rule of Muhammad Husayn Khan Mushtaq. The palace is renowned for its distinctive spatial composition, richly decorated interiors, and harmonious integration with the surrounding natural environment. It stands as a notable example of Eastern architecture, reflecting influences from Persian and Ottoman stylistic traditions.
The Palace of Shaki Khans was nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998 by Gulnara Mehmandarova, then President of the Azerbaijan Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). On 7 July 2019, the historic centre of Shaki, including the Khan’s Palace, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.