Getting There
You can get there by using a bus Q1, which is going to Gala village from the bus station behind the Flame fountain (in front of the Koroglu metro station). You can use metro or taxi to reach Koroglu metro station. When you arrive at Koroglu metro station, you need to go out on another side. There will be a bus stop behind the Flame Fountain. After you reach a bus stop named “Gala village” – “Qala kəndi”, you need to get off the bus and go straight for 15 minutes to reach the reserve.
You can also get there from city by car, using Airport Highway. You need to drive till the “Rahat” supermarket, which is in the beginning of the Mardakan Highway and turn right. After you reach a bus stop named “Gala village” – “Qala kəndi”, you need to turn right to reach the reserve.
What to Expect
At Gala State Historical and Ethnographic Reserve, you’ll witness rock paintings, constructions and everyday items from the 3rd-2nd millennia BC and climb to the top of a fortress dating from the 14th century, from where an incredible view opens of the Absheron Peninsula. In the medieval town, meanwhile, you’ll discover how our ancestors lived and see their clothes, crockery, coins, and ornaments.
The exposition of yet another unusual museum at the complex – From waste to art – will bring you back to the present with an assortment of artworks made from… household rubbish: cables, lamps, wheels, plastic water bottles, cellophane, toys, various car parts and many other worn-out things. About 180 different works of art both by local and foreign artists are displayed here. At the Gala Reserve you can touch the exhibits with your hands, which the kids will love as well as the mini zoo.
History
The monument was built in the most ancient part of the village. In 2009, during the archaeological excavations in the surroundings of castle it was proved that castle of Gala dated to X-XII century. Only one part of the castle and residues of wall has come up to present day.
In 2011, the castle was restored by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. A few materials dated to Middle Ages which were found during the archaeological excavations on the top layer are proving to that all these areas have been home for permanent residence in the Middle Ages.
Bread ovens, ceramic residues (painted and unpainted), iron tools, holes for close the animals, living spaces found in this area show that people lived around the castle in a complex manner. These bread ovens were probably built during the Nadir Shah placed here his own garrison in the eighteenth century with the aim of fulfill the needs of the garrison. Two ovens were used to cook ceramics, and other ovens for cooking bread. The underground ways that found in the castle are dated back X-XIV. The village elders say that one of the roads stretches to the seaside, the other to the city center.
Reserve also has a mosque on its territory. It was built joint to the castle. Internal exposition was created, numismatic materials that found during archeological excavations dated from XIII- XIV centuries till the XIX century, Tsarism period in Azerbaijan and the remains of ceramics dated back Medieval age are exhibited.
Facilities
- Audio guide
- Guide service
- Public Toilet
- Parking
- Souvenir shop
