Ganja Fortress, Medieval fortress in Ganja, Azerbaijan.
Ganja Fortress is a medieval defensive structure built along the Ganja-chai river with thick stone walls and multiple defensive towers. The complex was designed to protect the city and its population from attacks during the medieval period.
Sultan Murad III ordered this fortress built in 1588 following the Ottoman capture of the city by Farhad Pasha. The structure represented an important defensive investment during a period of regional military expansion.
The fortress shaped how people lived in medieval Ganja by dividing the city into distinct districts that organized community life. This layout shows how defensive walls influenced the way urban settlements developed and functioned.
The Shiralibey tower is the best-preserved section and remains open for visitors to explore. The site is best accessed on foot, and comfortable shoes are recommended since the terrain is uneven in places.
The original fortress featured around 30 watchtowers spaced strategically throughout its defensive perimeter. These towers had special openings that allowed defenders to pour boiling oil onto attackers attempting to breach the walls below.
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