Ganja Fortress

Ganja, Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan

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Ganja Fortress in Ganja, Azerbaijan, was built by Farhad Pasha in 1588 after capturing the city for the Ottoman Empire.

Located along the Ganja River, it originally had walls measuring about 2.3 kilometers in length, 6 meters in height, and nearly 2 meters thick, forming an uneven polygon with 30 defensive towers spaced regularly.

The fortress divided the city into four parts: the outer city, Shahristan, Ichgala, and Naringala. Due to urban development in the 19th century under Russian rule, most of the fortress walls were demolished, leaving only the Shiralibey tower and some restored sections. Constructed with clay-mud, cobblestone, and baked red bricks typical of Ganja architecture, the fortress features embrasures and watchtowers used for defense, with strategic openings designed to repel attackers by pouring boiling oil or other substances.

The fortress remains a major historic monument reflecting Ganja’s military and cultural historyGanja Fortress.