Armenian Monuments in Artsakh Turning into Dumping Grounds

The Geghard Analytical Foundation presents an investigative article focusing on Azerbaijan, which has failed to preserve its historical and cultural heritage, yet accuses the Armenian side of vandalizing Muslim monuments in the Artsakh region.

“Azerbaijan, which has never excelled in protecting its cultural values, continues to accuse the Armenian side of vandalizing Muslim cultural monuments located in Artsakh. It is important to note that these monuments belonging to Muslim culture have no relation whatsoever to 'Azerbaijani culture.' Moreover, many historical monuments and cultural sites, including Muslim shrines and mosques, have today been turned into landfills or stables in Azerbaijan. The values from the Mongol period and the Shirvanshahs' culture are now at risk of extinction. For instance, the Shah Sultan Hussein Mosque from the Safavid era, located in the Novkhani village of Azerbaijan, has become a dumping site. The harsh treatment of this Shiite mosque, which is part of Iranian cultural heritage, has received strong reactions on Iranian news sites. Azerbaijani historian Zaur Aliyev has also raised alarms about the deplorable state of the mosque. According to him, there is not even a sign to indicate the monument’s protection by the state; only a sign prepared by locals that reads 'Shah Sultan Hussein Mosque' is present. 'The inside of this religious monument has turned into a garbage dump, where even the carcasses of dead animals are thrown,' stated Zaur Aliyev,” the article mentions.

The next example cited in the article is a well-known East Asian bath from the 17th-18th centuries in the Mashtagha village of the Sabunchu district of Baku, which has completely turned into a garbage dump. This cultural heritage is also known as 'The Sand Bath.' Almost all villages in Absheron have similar baths, the overwhelming majority of which are in dilapidated and ruined condition.

“The historical 'Hajji Majid' bath, located in the Jorat area of Sumgait city and known among the local population as 'Old Bath,' is in the same deplorable condition. This structure dates back to the 15th-16th centuries and belongs to the Shirvanshah era. According to residents, the primary reason for this historical monument's transformation into a dumping ground is the indifferent attitude of responsible authorities. It should be noted that the Hajji Majid bath was last renovated in 1985 and operated until 1988. This historical monument is now on the brink of extinction.

Another ancient site has also been turned into a landfill by Azerbaijanis in the city of Aghsu. Archaeologist Fariz Khalilov, who conducted excavations at the site, noted that after completing archaeological work, a part of the monument was destroyed due to road construction. The Azerbaijani population has also converted the surrounding area into a dump. According to the archaeologist, the waste strewn across the area is a manifestation of disrespect towards historical monuments,” the article states.

In addition to the destruction of historical and cultural monuments, shrines and pilgrimage sites have also faced vandalism in Azerbaijan. For instance, in 2016, unknown individuals burned two pilgrimage sites in the Yalama village near the border with Russia and Azerbaijan. The same fate befell the Khanoba and later the Molla Ahmad shrines.

The publication emphasizes that the vandalism against cultural monuments continues to be an integral part of Azerbaijan's policy. It should be noted that cultural sites related to various periods and having no connection with Azerbaijanis are being destroyed. 'Baku is deliberately pursuing the same policy not only in occupied Artsakh, erasing Armenian traces and eliminating Christian churches but also within its own territory. Evidence of this is the ancient half-ruined church in the Zaqatala region, which, although under state protection, has faced vandalism. Thus, the Azerbaijani side has declared war not only on civilization but has been destroying cultural values belonging to different periods and peoples within its territory. Azerbaijani netizens themselves validate this, making similar posts on social media: 'Vandalism in Azerbaijan. There is no need to blame Armenians, as we are destroying our historical monuments ourselves,'” the article concludes, as stated by the Geghard Analytical Foundation.