Parigala, Medieval fortress in Yuxarı Çardaxlar, Azerbaijan.
Parigala is a medieval limestone fortress positioned 300 meters up a cliff in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains. The structure contains three rooms with window openings and reflects the defensive building practices of ancient peoples in this region.
The fortress was built between the fourth and eighth centuries during the Caucasian Albanian period. It served as a defensive outpost in the mountain region during an era of frequent territorial conflicts.
The name Parigala translates to Fairy Castle, rooted in a local story about a woman who chose death over capture by a Mongol commander. This tale remains woven into how people in the region view and speak about the site.
To reach the fortress, visitors need assistance from local guides who know the way. The ascent involves climbing a 40-meter stairway made of oak beams with a covered walkway for protection.
The limestone walls show visible wear patterns that reveal long-term habitation by people who lived within. These traces are tangible evidence of daily life and use stretching across many centuries.
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