Kələxana Mausoleums: Echoes of the Past

Nestled 6 km away from the city of Shamakhi, the Kələxana Mausoleums stand as a testament to Azerbaijan's rich historical and architectural heritage. This complex, located near the village of Kələxana, originally consisted of nine mausoleums, of which eight remain today. These structures, dating back to the 17th century, represent a unique collection of medieval Azerbaijani architecture. The Kələxana Mausoleums exemplify the Shirvan-Absheron architectural style, characterized by the use of well-hewn stones bonded with lime mortar. Interestingly, charcoal was added to the lime mortar, a technique also found in 12th to 15th-century tombs in Barda and Nakhchivan. The mausoleums feature an octagonal prism shape with an octagonal pyramidal roof. While each mausoleum shares similarities, they also possess individual characteristics, particularly in the design of their entrance gates. Some entrances are framed with diverse shapes, and some have plaques above them. One of the mausoleums features an inscription indicating that it was built in 1663 under the guidance of Sərkər Abdul. The tombs are within a 250x140 m area. Originally, five of the nine tombs had walled entrances, according to Cornelius de Bruijn's early 18th-century description. One tomb was even surrounded by a double wall. De Bruijn noted the presence of a fortress and a spring near the complex.