Ganja: The Jewel of Azerbaijan

• HelloSalam
  [sah-lahm]
• GoodbyeBaş çar
  [bahsh char]
• YesBəli
  [beh-lee]
• NoXeyir
  [khay-eer]
• Please/You're welcomeXahiş edirəm
  [khah-heesh eh-dee-rem]
• Thank youTəşəkkür edirəm
  [tuh-shek-koor eh-dee-rem]
• Excuse me/SorryBağışlayın
  [bah-ghish-lah-yin]
• How are you?Necəsən?
  [neh-jeh-sen]
• Fine. And you?Yaxşıyam. Sən?
  [yahkh-shee-yam. sen]
• Do you speak English?İngiliscə danışırsınız?
  [een-gee-lees-jeh dah-nee-sir-sin-uz]
• I don't understandAnlamıram
  [ahn-lahm-uh-rahm]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseXahiş edirəm menyunu görmək istəyirəm
  [khah-heesh eh-dee-rem mehn-yuh-noo guhr-mehk ees-teh-yee-rem]
• I don't eat meatMən ət yemirəm
  [muhn aht yeh-mee-rem]
• Cheers!Sağ ol
  [sah ohl]
• I would like to pay, pleaseXahiş edirəm ödəmək istəyirəm
  [khah-heesh eh-dee-rem uh-deh-mehk ees-teh-yee-rem]

• Help!Kömək!
  [kuh-muhk]
• Go away!Uza!
  [oo-zah]
• Call the Police!Polisi çağırın!
  [pohl-ee-see chah-ghuh-ruhn]
• Call a doctor!Həkim çağırın!
  [heh-keem chah-ghuh-ruhn]
• I'm lostYolumu itirmişəm
  [yohl-oo-moo ee-teer-mee-shehm]
• I'm illMən xəstəyəm
  [muhn khuh-steh-yehm]

• I'd like to buy...Almaq istəyirəm...
  [ahl-mahk ees-teh-yee-rem]
• I'm just lookingSadəcə baxıram
  [sah-deh-jeh bah-khee-rahm]
• How much is it?Neçəyədir?
  [neh-jeh-yeh-deer]
• That's too expensiveÇox bahadır
  [choh bah-hah-duhr]
• Can you lower the price?Qiyməti azalda bilərsiniz?
  [keem-eh-tee ah-zahl-dah bee-lehr-see-neez]

• What time is it?Saat necədir?
  [saht neh-jeh-deer]
• It's one o'clockSaat birdir
  [saht beer-deer]
• Half past (10)Onun yarısı
  [oh-noon yah-ruh-suh]
• MorningSəhər
  [seh-her]
• AfternoonGünorta
  [goon-or-tah]
• EveningAxşam
  [ahk-shahm]
• YesterdayDünən
  [doo-nehn]
• TodayBu gün
  [boo goon]
• TomorrowSabah
  [sah-bah]
• 1Bir
  [beer]
• 2İki
  [ee-kee]
• 3Üç
  [ooch]
• 4Dörd
  [dohrd]
• 5Beş
  [besh]
• 6Altı
  [ahl-tuh]
• 7Yeddi
  [yehd-dee]
• 8Səkkiz
  [sehk-keez]
• 9Doqquz
  [doh-ghooz]
• 10On
  [ohn]

• Where's a/the...?...haradadır?
  [hah-rah-dah-deer]
• What's the address?Ünvan nədir?
  [oon-vahn neh-deer]
• Can you show me (on the map)?(Xəritədə) göstərə bilərsən?
  [(khuh-ree-teh-deh) gohs-teh-ruh bee-lehr-sen]
• When's the next (bus)?Növbəti (avtobus) neçədədir?
  [nehv-buh-tee (ahv-toh-boos) neh-jeh-deer]
• A ticket (to ....)Bir biletlə (.... -ə)
  [beer bee-leht-leh (.... -uh)]

Ganja's history dates back to ancient times, with archaeological findings indicating human settlement in the area as early as the 5th century BC. The city was originally known as Ganja-Kapoy and was a prominent center in the Caucasus region during the era of the Caucasian Albania kingdom.

In the 7th century, Ganja was conquered by the Arab Caliphate. The city became an important administrative and cultural center under the rule of the Abbasid Caliphate. This period saw the introduction of Islam to the region, which significantly influenced Ganja's cultural and architectural development.

Ganja is renowned as the birthplace of the famous Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, born in 1141. Nizami is celebrated for his epic poems, including the 'Khamsa' (Quintet), which have left a lasting impact on Persian literature and culture. His mausoleum, located in Ganja, is a major cultural and historical landmark.

During the 11th and 12th centuries, Ganja came under the influence of the Seljuk Empire and later the Atabegs of Azerbaijan. The city flourished as a center of trade, culture, and learning. Many architectural masterpieces, such as the Javad Khan Street and the Javad Khan House, date back to this period.

In the 13th century, Ganja suffered significant destruction due to the Mongol invasion led by Hulagu Khan. The city was rebuilt in the subsequent years but faced further hardships under the rule of various Mongol khanates.

In the 16th century, Ganja became part of the Safavid Empire, which established it as an important administrative center in the region. The Safavid period was marked by the construction of several significant structures, including the Shah Abbas Mosque, which remains a key historical site in Ganja.

In the early 19th century, Ganja was annexed by the Russian Empire following the Treaty of Gulistan in 1813. The city was renamed Elisabethpol and became a provincial center. This period saw significant growth and modernization, with the development of infrastructure and new public buildings.

After the Russian Revolution, Ganja became part of the Transcaucasian SFSR and later the Azerbaijan SSR within the Soviet Union. The city was renamed Kirovabad in 1935 in honor of Soviet leader Sergey Kirov. During the Soviet era, Ganja experienced industrial growth and urbanization, with many factories and residential areas being established.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ganja reverted to its historical name. The city has since undergone significant development and restoration efforts. Today, Ganja is a vibrant cultural and economic center in Azerbaijan, known for its rich history, architectural heritage, and beautiful parks.

Ganja is located in western Azerbaijan. The nearest international airport is Ganja International Airport, which has flights from major cities like Istanbul and Moscow. Alternatively, you can fly into Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku and take a train or bus to Ganja. The train journey from Baku to Ganja takes about 4-5 hours, offering a scenic ride through the Azerbaijani countryside. Buses are also available and are a budget-friendly option.

Ganja offers several transportation options. Taxis are readily available and relatively inexpensive. The city also has a network of buses and minibuses (marshrutkas) that connect different parts of the city. Renting a car is an option if you plan to explore the surrounding areas. For a more local experience, consider renting a bicycle to navigate through the city streets.

The official currency in Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani Manat (AZN). Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, but it is advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments and local markets. ATMs are plentiful in Ganja, and you can withdraw cash using international bank cards.

Ganja is generally a safe destination for tourists. However, like any other city, it is important to take standard safety precautions. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places. There are no specific high-crime areas targeting tourists, but staying vigilant and aware of your surroundings is always best practice.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance. Ganja has local police stations and medical facilities available for emergencies. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Pharmacies are available throughout the city for minor health issues, and many pharmacists speak some English.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Always cover your head when entering mosques. Public Transport: Do be respectful and give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a handshake. A slight bow of the head is also a sign of respect. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don't refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Ganja like a local, visit the local markets where you can buy fresh produce and traditional Azerbaijani goods. Engage with locals, as they are often friendly and willing to share stories about the city's history and culture. Don’t miss visiting the Nizami Museum and the Ganja Fortress for a deep dive into the region's rich history. For a unique experience, take a stroll through the Javad Khan Street, known for its charming cafes and local shops.