Since June 2011 MIRAS Social Organization in Support of Studying of Cultural Heritage arranges cultural heritage tours “Roads lead to Shirvan Treasury” together with Heritage Travel Tour Comp.  

Since June 2011 MIRAS Social Organization in Support of Studying of Cultural Heritage arranges cultural heritage tours “Roads lead to Shirvan Treasury” together with Heritage Travel Tour Comp. The first tour was in Medieval Agsu town for journalists from different media bodies of Azerbaijan. During the tour which was of info-tour kind and welcomed by media representatives with pleasure, they visited Diri Baba Tomb, Shamakhi History and Local Lore Museum and Medieval Agsu town.
Member of MIRAS Social Organization visited Bugurd Castle within cultural heritage tours “Roads lead to Shirvan Treasury” on 12 August 2012 organized by Heritage Travel Tour Comp. The visitors departed from Baku by comfortable bus directed to Chukhuryurd region of Shamakhi, then to Bugurd Castle by UAZ car. The roads’ being spoilt with flows prevents tourists to see this old historical castle. The visitors after going a long way from Galeyibugurd Village across Agsu River arrived in Galaderisi Village, at the feet of Bugurd castle. The visitors visited Bugurd castle under guidance of the villager Kamil Alizade.
Chairman of MIRAS Social Organization, PhD Fariz Khalilli gave information on the castle and reminded Yevgeniy Pakhomov and Hussein Jiddi conducted intelligence archaeological explorations there. He said archaeological excavations show dwelling in Bugurd Castle in 11-13th century. The ruins of some walls and towers, including buildings saved inside the castle. Houses are built of hewed stones. It is recalled in the sources since late 15th century. When Shah Ismail I attacked Shirvan in 1509, Shirvanshah Ibrahim Sheikhshah II was defended in Bugurt Castle. During 1537, Shirvan riot, Shirvanshah Shahrukh and courtiers had to hide in Bugurd Castle. In 1538 Sefevyd troops stormed Shirvan under command of Algas Mirza. Shahrukh and advocate Hussein bey sheltered in Bugurd Castle resisted Sefevyds for some months. In that year the treasure of Shirvanshahs was kept in Bugurd Castle. During Sefevyds-Ottoman war the Ottoman troops seized Bugurd Castle and turned that into a strong point for themselves. The castle was used for defense purposes till late 17th century.
Regretfully, the castle was not conserved till now and lately larger ravines appeared under the strong rains’ influence onto the castle. Fariz Khalilli stating different projects are prepared in connection with conservation of such fortification type castles, said Ministry of Culture and Tourism is interested in implementation of these projects.
After historical Bugurd Castle, which kept neglected in the lap of the mountains and which was abandoned, the visitors returned Shamakhi City. They had been in the yard of Shamakhi City secondary school No. 1 , where large wall ruins were also revealed. PhD Fariz Khalilli stated version on these walls’ being the remnants of fundamental edifices of palace or observatory kind, exists. He added it’s supposed they are the walls and towers of Shamakhi Castle and such finds are encountered in several sites inside the city. The visitors went to one of those sites. The walls and nearby reservoirs indicated tourists’ urgency of passing larger distance besides.
Educational character of cultural heritage tours shows that regular arrangement of theirs is important.
Azertag’s regional correspondent Adil Agayev joined cultural heritage tour as well.