Nakhchivan (city)

The city's official Azerbaijani spelling is "Nakhchivan" ({{langx|az|Naxçıvan}}).{{Cite web |url=https://azertag.az/xeber/NAXCHIVAN_SAHARINDAKI_HEYDAR_ALIYEV_MADANIYYAT_VA_ISTIRAHAT_PARKINDA_YENIDANQURMA_ISLARI_APARILMISDIR-440051 |title=NAXÇIVAN ŞƏHƏRİNDƏKİ HEYDƏR ƏLİYEV MƏDƏNİYYƏT VƏ İSTİRAHƏT PARKINDA YENİDƏNQURMA İŞLƏRİ APARILMIŞDIR |date=1 May 2009 |work=Azerbaijan State News Agency |access-date=27 January 2021 |language=az }}{{Cite web |url=https://en.president.az/articles/11353 |title=Ilham Aliyev attended ceremony to inaugurate Nakhchivan city reservoir and water purification plant complex |date=7 April 2014 |work=President.az |publisher=Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan |access-date=27 January 2021 |language=en }} The name is transliterated from Persian as Nakhjavan ({{langx|fa|نخجوان}}).{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/world-41108682 |title=سی کتابی که مردم جمهوری خودمختار نخجوان 'باید' بخوانند |date=1 September 2017 |work=BBC Persian Service |access-date=27 January 2021 |language=fa }}{{Cite web |first=Dalga |last=Khatina oglu |url=https://www.dw.com/fa-ir/%D8%AE%DB%8C%D8%B2-%D8%A2%D8%B0%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%86-%D9%86%D8%AE%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%AA%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/a-52550716 |title=خیز آذربایجان برای رهاندن نخجوان از وابستگی به ایران |date=27 February 2020 |work=Deutsche Welle |access-date=27 January 2021 |language=fa }} The city's name is transliterated from Russian as Nakhichevan' ({{langx|ru|Нахичевань}}) and from Armenian as Nakhijevan ({{langx|hy|Նախիջևան|Naxiǰewan}}).{{Cite web |last=Hakobyan |first=Tatul |date=17 March 2020 |title=Նախիջևանի կորուստը. մի քանի պատմական իրողություններ |trans-title=The loss of Nakhijevan: some historical facts |url=https://www.civilnet.am/news/2020/03/17/%D5%86%D5%A1%D5%AD%D5%AB%D5%BB%D6%87%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%AB-%D5%AF%D5%B8%D6%80%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%BD%D5%BF%D5%A8-%D5%B4%D5%AB-%D6%84%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%AB-%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%BF%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D5%AB%D6%80%D5%B8%D5%B2%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%B5%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6%D5%B6%D5%A5%D6%80/378830 |access-date=27 January 2021 |work=CivilNet |language=hy}}{{Cite news |last=Babayan |first=Aza |date=15 December 2020 |title=Ադրբեջանն ու Թուրքիան վաղը Իգդիր-Նախիջևան գազատարի վերաբերյալ հուշագիր կստորագրեն |trans-title=Azerbaijan and Turkey will sign a memorandum on the Igdir-Nakhijevan gas pipeline tomorrow |url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31001786.html |access-date=27 January 2021 |work=Azatutyun |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=hy}}{{Cite web |date=27 July 2020 |title=Турецкие военные прибыли в Нахичевань для учений |trans-title=Turkish military arrived in Nakhichevan for exercises |url=https://regnum.ru/news/polit/3021137.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204065050/https://regnum.ru/news/polit/3021137.html |archive-date=4 February 2021 |access-date=27 January 2021 |work=REGNUM |language=ru}}{{Cite web |date=27 January 2021 |title=Зариф: "Есть реальная перспектива соединения железных дорог Армении и Ирана через Нахичевань" |trans-title=Zarif: "There is a real prospect of connecting the railways of Armenia and Iran through Nakhichevan" |url=https://www.ekhokavkaza.com/a/31071859.html |access-date=27 January 2021 |work=Эхо Кавказа |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=ru}}

The city was first mentioned in Ptolemy's Geography as Naxuana ({{langx|grc|Ναξουὰνα}}, {{langx|la|Naxuana}}).{{in lang|ru}} [https://archive.today/20130703211539/http://brockhaus-efron-encyclopedia.info/%D0%AD%D0%BD%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B8%D1%8F_%D0%91%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BA%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%83%D0%B7%D0%B0_%D0%B8_%D0%95%D1%84%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B0/138612/%D0%9D%D0%B0%D1%85%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%8C "Nakhichevan"] in the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, St. Petersburg, Russia: 1890–1907. The older form of the name is Naxčawan ({{Langx|hy|Նախճաւան}}).{{Cite book |last=Hiwbshman |first=H. |url=https://archive.org/details/HinHayotsTeghwoyAnnunnere |title=Hin Hayotsʻ Teghwoy Anunnerě |publisher=Mkhitʻarean Tparan |year=1907 |location=Vienna |pages=222–223, 385 |language=hy |translator-last=Pilējikchean |translator-first=H. B. |trans-title=Ancient Armenian Place Names |author-link=Heinrich Hübschmann}} According to philologist Heinrich Hübschmann, the name was originally borne by the city and later given to the surrounding region. Hübschmann believed the name to be composed of Naxič or Naxuč (probably a personal name) and awan, an Armenian word (ultimately of Iranian origin) meaning "place, town".

In the Armenian tradition, the name of the city is connected with the Biblical narrative of Noah's Ark and interpreted as meaning "place of the first descent" or "first resting place" (as if deriving from {{Langx|hy|նախ|lit=first|translit=nax|label=none}} and {{Langx|hy|իջեւան|lit=abode, resting place|translit=ijewan|label=none}}) due to it being regarded as the site where Noah descended and settled after the landing of the Ark on nearby Mount Ararat.{{Cite book |last1=Hakobyan |first1=T. Kh. |title=Hayastani ev harakitsʻ shrjanneri teghanunneri baṛaran |last2=Melik-Bakhshyan |first2=St. T. |last3=Barseghyan |first3=H. Kh. |publisher=Yerevan State University |year=1991 |volume=3 |pages=951–953 |language=hy |trans-title=Dictionary of toponymy of Armenia and adjacent territories |chapter=Nakhijevan |chapter-url=http://nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=61&dt=HY_HY&pageNumber=3015}}{{Cite book |last=Hewsen |first=Robert H. |url=https://archive.org/details/TheGeographyOfAnaniasOfSirak |title=The Geography of Ananias of Širak (Ašxarhacʻoycʻ): The Long and the Short Recensions |publisher=Dr. Ludwig Reichert Verlag |year=1992 |isbn=3-88226-485-3 |location=Wiesbaden |pages=189 |author-link=Robert H. Hewsen}} It was probably under the influence of this tradition that the name changed in Armenian from the older Naxčawan to Naxijewan. Although this is a folk etymology, William Whiston believed Nakhchivan/Nakhijevan to be the Apobatērion ("place of descent") mentioned by the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus in connection with Noah's Ark, which would make the tradition connecting the name with the Biblical figure Noah very old, predating Armenia's conversion to Christianity in the early fourth century.{{cite web |title=Chapter 3 |url=http://library.untraveledroad.com/Ch/Josephus/Antiquities-Jews/Book1/3.htm |access-date=June 12, 2016}}[http://www.fni.com/cim/technicals/noah.txt Noah's Ark: Its Final Berth] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312030734/http://www.fni.com/cim/technicals/noah.txt|date=March 12, 2008}} by Bill Crouse

In the Armenian tradition, Nakhchivan was founded by Noah after the Flood, and was the place of his death and burial.{{Sfn|Lanser|2007}} According to the Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi, King Tigranes I of Armenia settled Median prisoners of war at Nakhchivan in the second century BC. Nakhchivan is first mentioned in Ptolemy's Geographia as Naxuana ({{langx|el|Ναξουὰνα|italic=yes}}).Bosworth (2013)

Nakhchivan was destroyed by Shahanshah Shapur II in 363 and its Armenian and Jewish population was deported to Iran.Lint (2018), p. 1055 Emperor Heraclius travelled through the city en route to Atropatene in 623 during the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628.Chaumont (1986), pp. 418–438

The Arab siege of Nakhchivan in 650AD led Theodore Rshtuni to conclude a truce. After the rebellion of 703AD Muhammad ibn Marwan had the rebel nobles burnt alive in churches in Nakhchivan and Goghtn in 705.Blankinship (1994), p. 107 Nakhchivan temporarily came under the control of the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia in {{circa|900}}, but was swiftly taken by Muhammad ibn Abi'l-Saj. The city was the temporary refuge of Atabeg Nusrat al-Din Abu Bakr after his defeat at the Battle of Shamkor in 1195, and Nakhchivan was conquered by the Kingdom of Georgia in 1197.Rayfield (2013), pp. 112–113

The city and its surroundings were ruled either directly or indirectly by Zakarid Armenia from 1201 to 1350, but more often than not they only had partial independence and often were vassals of other Empires.{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/B-001-036-449-ALL |title=Очерки истории СССР. Период феодализма IX-XV вв.: В 2 ч. |publisher=Academy of Sciences of the Soviet Union |year=1953 |editor-last1=Grekov |editor-first1=Boris |editor-link=Boris Grekov |location=Moscow |trans-title=Essays on the history of the USSR. The period of feudalism IX-XV centuries: In 2 volumes |oclc=8470090 |quote=…the political power of the Zakarids was formed and strengthened, heading the restored Armenian statehood in indigenous Armenia. The territory subject to the Zakarids was an Armenian state, vassal to the then reigning house of the Georgian Bagratids; The Zakharid government had the right to court and collect taxes. The main responsibility of the Armenian government to the Georgian government was to provide it with military militia during the war.}} In 1225, Nakhchivan was occupied by al-Maleka al-Jalāliya, daughter of Atabeg Muhammad Jahan Pahlavan. In 1236 Nakhchivan was occupied by the Mongol Empire and later the Ilkhanate forcing Zakarid Armenia to pay taxes to the Mongol lords as well as owing them loyalty and troops.{{cite book |author-last=Hodous |author-first=Florence |title=Empire in Asia: A New Global History: From Chinggisid to Qing |publisher= Bloomsbury Academic |year=2018 |isbn=9781472591234 |editor-last1=Fairey |editor-first1=Jack |volume=1 |location=London |page=20 |chapter=Inner Asia 1100s-1405: The Making of Chinggisid Eurasia |quote=Vassal states such as the Uyghur kingdom of Qocho (until 1335), Zakarid Armenia, Cilicia, Georgia, and Korea similarly owed the empire taxes, troops, and loyalty, but were otherwise left to govern themselves. |editor-last2=Farell |editor-first2=Brian |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IlFuDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA20}} Genoese merchants were known to trade in the city by 1280.Bernardini (2000), pp. 422–426 The city was conquered by Timur in 1401,Rayfield (2013), p. 150 but was taken by King George VII of Georgia in 1405.Rayfield (2013), p. 152

File:Bahruz Kangarli - Пейзаж с домом.jpg: Landscape with a house]]

File:Նախիջևան քաղաքի հայկական թաղամասը և եկեղեցին (The Armenian district and church of Nakhijevan city), 1910s.png

Nakhchivan was conquered by Shahanshah Ismail I in 1503.Rayfield (2013), p. 164 Shahanshah Abbas I of Persia reconquered Nakhchivan from the Ottoman Empire in 1603–1604.Herzig & Floor (2015), p. 5 Later the city served as the capital of the Nakhichevan Khanate.

Nakhchivan Khanate was annexed to the Russian Empire per the Treaty of Turkmenchay in 1828.Hille (2010), p. 66 The city became the centre of the Nakhichevan uezd of the Erivan Governorate in 1849. In 1896, Nakhchivan had a population of 7,433, roughly two-thirds of which were Azeri-speaking Muslims and one-third Armenian Christians. According to the 1897 census, Nakhchivan had the status of a county town ({{Langx|ru|у. г. / уездный город|translit=u. g. / uyezdny gorod}}).{{Cite book |last=Troinitsky |first=N. A. |url=https://www.prlib.ru/item/428670 |title=Населенные места Российской империи в 500 и более жителей с указанием всего наличного в них населения и числа жителей преобладающих вероисповеданий, по данным первой всеобщей переписи населения 1897 г. |publisher=Tipografiya Obshchestvennaya polza |year=1905 |location=Saint Petersburg |pages=54 |language=ru |trans-title=Populated areas of the Russian Empire with 500 or more inhabitants, indicating the total population in them and the number of inhabitants of the predominant religions, according to the first general population census of 1897. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810153601/https://www.prlib.ru/item/428670 |archive-date=10 August 2022}}

File:1843 Nakhichevan Coat of Arms.png (designed in 1843)]]

After the February Revolution of 1917, a soviet was formed in Nakhchivan, but the city was under the control of the Special Transcaucasian Committee from March to November 1917, and its successor the Transcaucasian Commissariat from November 1917 to March 1918.Hille (2010), p. 170 Turkey occupied Nakhchivan from June until November, after which the city was occupied by British soldiers in January 1919,Hille (2010), p. 173 and a military governor was appointed to administer Nakhchivan.

File:The Soviet Union 1961 CPA 2583 stamp (Capitals of Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republics. Lenin Street, Nakhichevan, Nakhichevan).jpg

It was decided that Nakhchivan would be granted to Armenia on 6 April 1919, and the city was annexed on 6 June 1919,Hille (2010), p. 171 however, some months later the city became the center of a regional Muslim uprising and pogrom against its Armenian inhabitants.{{Cite book |last=Karapetyan |first=Bakour |url=https://paperzz.com/doc/9062428/the-roots-of-karabagh-problem |title=THE ROOTS OF KARABAGH PROBLEM |pages=119 |quote=Turkey instigated a Muslim revolt against the Republic of Armenia in Nakhichevan. The Armenian troops and refugees were forced to leave the region. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803092825/https://paperzz.com/doc/9062428/the-roots-of-karabagh-problem |archive-date=3 August 2022}} Britain, France, Italy, and the US, with approval from Armenia and Azerbaijan, agreed on 25 October 1919 to appoint American Colonel Edmond D. Daily as General-Governor of Nakhchivan, elections would be held, and both Armenia and Azerbaijan would withdraw its forces from the territory.Hille (2010), pp. 171–172 However, in March 1920, Turkish forces led by Kâzım Karabekir occupied Nakhchivan.

Soviet Russia took control of Nakhchivan on 28 July 1920, and the city became part of the newly formed Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.Hille (2010), p. 172 The Treaty of Moscow of 16 March 1921, and later the Treaty of Kars of 21 October 1921, between Soviet Union and Turkey agreed that Nakhicheva would be an autonomous territory under the protection of Azerbaijan and delimited its borders with Turkey.Hille (2010), p. 159Hille (2010), p. 191 In February 1923, the city formed part of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Krai within the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR), but later became the capital of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the ASSR in March 1924.

When Azerbaijan declared independence from the Soviet Union, Nakhchivan remained part of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, a trilateral ceasefire was signed between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. According to the agreement, Azerbaijan will gain a road access to Nakhchivan through Armenia which will be secured by Russian peacekeepers.{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2020/11/13/another-map-redrawn-in-blood|title=Another map redrawn in blood Six consequences of the six-week war for Nagorno-Karabakh|date=2020-11-12|author=Dmitry Kuznets|publisher=Meduza|access-date=14 December 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204065029/https://meduza.io/en/feature/2020/11/13/another-map-redrawn-in-blood|url-status=live}}

Since 9 June 2009, the Bulqan, Qaraçuq, Qaraxanbəyli, Tumbul and Haciniyyət villages of the Babek District are included in the scope of the administrative-territorial unit of the Nakhchivan city.{{cite web|url=http://www.meclis.gov.az/?/az/legislation/view/1473|title=Milli Məclis|website=www.meclis.gov.az|access-date=2 April 2018}}

The bishop of Mardpetakan resided at Nakhchivan, and the Armenian historian Tovma Artsruni records Sahak Vahevuni as bishop of Nakhchivan and Mardpetakan and brother of Apusahak Vahevuni.Thomas et al. (2010), p. 103

The city is spread over the foothills of Zangezur chain, on the right bank of the Nakhchivan River at an altitude of almost {{convert|1,000|m|ft|abbr=off}}. The floods and soil erosion spiked because of the decreased forest cover along riverbanks.{{cite web|last1=Hay|first1=Mark|title=How Environmentalism Can Foster Nation-Building|url=http://magazine.good.is/articles/pride-and-regrowth-in-nakhchivan|website=magazine.good.is|access-date=13 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113144746/http://magazine.good.is/articles/pride-and-regrowth-in-nakhchivan|archive-date=13 November 2014|url-status=dead}} As a result, reforestation projects implemented in the city to encourage tree planting.

Nakhchivan has a continental semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with short but cold, snowy winters and long, dry, very hot summers.

{{Weather box

|width = auto

| location = Nakhchivan (1991–2020 normals)

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan high C = 3.5

| Feb high C = 6.1

| Mar high C = 13.4

| Apr high C = 20.4

| May high C = 25.6

| Jun high C = 31.0

| Jul high C = 34.7

| Aug high C = 34.7

| Sep high C = 29.8

| Oct high C = 22.3

| Nov high C = 12.8

| Dec high C = 5.2

| year high C =

| Jan mean C = -0.9

| Feb mean C = 0.9

| Mar mean C = 6.8

| Apr mean C = 13.5

| May mean C = 18.2

| Jun mean C = 22.9

| Jul mean C = 26.5

| Aug mean C = 26.6

| Sep mean C = 21.8

| Oct mean C = 15.0

| Nov mean C = 7.2

| Dec mean C = 1.0

| year mean C =

| Jan low C = -5.3

| Feb low C = -4.4

| Mar low C = 0.2

| Apr low C = 6.6

| May low C = 10.7

| Jun low C = 14.8

| Jul low C = 18.3

| Aug low C = 18.4

| Sep low C = 13.7

| Oct low C = 7.7

| Nov low C = 1.5

| Dec low C = -3.2

| year low C =

| Jan precipitation mm = 19

| Feb precipitation mm = 18

| Mar precipitation mm = 29

| Apr precipitation mm = 38

| May precipitation mm = 36

| Jun precipitation mm = 30

| Jul precipitation mm = 17

| Aug precipitation mm = 8

| Sep precipitation mm = 11

| Oct precipitation mm = 26

| Nov precipitation mm = 20

| Dec precipitation mm = 15

| year precipitation mm = 267

| Jan precipitation days = 5

| Feb precipitation days = 4

| Mar precipitation days = 6

| Apr precipitation days = 7

| May precipitation days = 9

| Jun precipitation days = 5

| Jul precipitation days = 2

| Aug precipitation days = 2

| Sep precipitation days = 2

| Oct precipitation days = 5

| Nov precipitation days = 4

| Dec precipitation days = 4

| year precipitation days = 55

| Jan sun = 82.9

| Feb sun = 117.3

| Mar sun = 188.3

| Apr sun = 202.6

| May sun = 254.5

| Jun sun = 324.0

| Jul sun = 364.4

| Aug sun = 338.7

| Sep sun = 302.5

| Oct sun = 215.6

| Nov sun = 148.1

| Dec sun = 121.1

| year sun = 2660.0

| Jand sun =2.7

| Febd sun =4.2

| Mard sun =6.1

| Aprd sun =6.8

| Mayd sun =8.2

| Jund sun =10.8

| Juld sun =11.8

| Augd sun =10.9

| Sepd sun =10.1

| Octd sun =7

| Novd sun =4.9

| Decd sun =3.9

| yeard sun =

| source 1 = NOAA (precipitation 1971–1990){{cite web

| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/AJ/37936.TXT

| title = Naxcivan Climate Normals 1961–1990

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200713123117/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/AJ/37936.TXT

| archive-date = 2020-07-13

| url-status = dead

| access-date = 22 March 2015

}} Meteostat{{cite web

|url=https://meteostat.net/en/station/37936

|title= Nakhchivan Climate : Temperature 1991-2020

|publisher=Meteostat

|access-date=23 December 2024}}

|source 2 =Deutscher wetterdinest (Daily sunshine 1971–1990){{Citation |title=Klimatafel von Nachitschewan (Naxcivan) / Aserbaidschan |url=https://www.dwd.de/DE/leistungen/klimadatenwelt/asien/ae/aserbaidschan/aserbaidschani_node.html |access-date=2023-07-23 |no-pp=y |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdinest |language=German |format=PDF}}

| date = January 2011

}}

According to the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan, the number of population of city was 63,8 thousand in 2000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stat.gov.az/source/demoqraphy/?lang=en|title=Political division, population size and structure: Population by towns and regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan|access-date=22 October 2018|archive-date=27 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827142620/https://www.stat.gov.az/source/demoqraphy/?lang=en|url-status=live}}

{{Expand section|date=November 2014}}

Traditionally, Nakhchivan was home to trade industry, handicraft, shoemaking and hatmaking by Azerbaijanians. These industries have been largely replaced. The restoration enterprises and development industry, liberalization of foreign trade and the extension of the customs infrastructure, which has been largely responsible for Nakchivan's growth in the last two decades, are now major parts of Nakchivan's economy.{{cite web|url=http://www.nakhchivan.az/portal-en/iqtisadiy.htm|title=NAXÇIVAN MUXTAR RESPUBLİKASI – rəsmi portal|work=nakhchivan.az|access-date=8 October 2009|archive-date=10 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610205926/http://www.nakhchivan.az/portal-en/iqtisadiy.htm|url-status=live}}

The city has a wide range of cultural activities, amenities and museums. Heydar Aliyev Palace, which has a permanent local painting exhibition and a theatre hall for an audience of 1000 people, and a recently restored Soviet-time Opera Theatre where the Nakhchivan State Musical Drama Theatre realises theatre plays, concerts, musicals and opera.{{cite web|title=Ilham Aliyev attended a ceremony to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.|url=http://en.president.az/articles/11356|website=en.president.az|access-date=13 November 2014|archive-date=13 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113155704/http://en.president.az/articles/11356|url-status=live}}

Many of the city's cultural sites were celebrated in 2018 when Nakhchivan was designated an Islamic Culture Capital.{{cite web|title=Nakhchivan to be capital of Islamic Culture in 2018|url=http://en.apa.az/news_nakhchivan_to_be_capital_of_islamic_cult_191628.html|website=en.apa.az|access-date=13 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413064943/http://en.apa.az/news_nakhchivan_to_be_capital_of_islamic_cult_191628.html|archive-date=13 April 2016|url-status=dead}}

File:Mömünəxatun türbəsi 2018.jpg is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Azerbaijan.]]

The city is home Momine Khatun Mausoleum, Gulustan Mausoleum, Noah's Mausoleum, Garabaghlar Mausoleum, Yusif ibn Kuseyir Mausoleum, Imamzadeh mausoleum and Mausoleum of Huseyn Javid mausoleums.{{cite web|title=The mausoleum of Nakhchivan|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1173/|website=whc.unesco.org|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=13 November 2014}}

The main sight in the city is the heavily restored 12th-century Momine Khatun Mausoleum, also known as Atabek Gumbezi. Momine Khatun was the wife of Eldegizid Atabek Jahan Pahlivan, ruler of the Atabek Eldegiz emirate. The 10-sided monument is decorated with intricate geometrical motives and Kufic script, it uses turquoise glazed bricks. It shares the neighbourhood with a statue of its architect – Ajami Nakhchivani – and a bust of Heydar Aliyev. Also from the 12th century and by the same architect, is the octagonal Yusuf Ibn Kuseir tomb, known as Atababa, half abandoned near the main cemetery.

In 1993, the white marble mausoleum of Hussein Javid was built. The Azerbaijani writer died in the Gulag during Joseph Stalin's Great Purge. Both the mausoleum and his house museum are located east of the theatre. Although being a recent construction, Huseyn Javid's mausoleum is of great iconic importance, representing the ability of the exclave to live despite the Armenian embargo and becoming a symbol of Nakhchivan itself.

The mausoleums of Nakhchivan were entered for possible inclusion in the List of World Heritage Sites, UNESCO in 1998 by Gulnara Mehmandarova – president of Azerbaijan Committee of ICOMOS—International Council on Monuments and Sites.{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1173/|title=The mausoleum of Nakhchivan (#)|author=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|work=unesco.org}}

{{Separate article|Tendir lavash|date=November 2020}}

Nakchivan’s signature cuisine includes shirin plov (sweet rice with gravy; made with mutton, hazelnuts, almonds and dried fruits), dastana, komba, tendir lavash and galin.

Lavash is made with flour, water, and salt. The thickness of the bread varies depending on how thin it was rolled out. Toasted sesame seeds and/or poppy seeds are sometimes sprinkled on before baking. It is impossible to imagine any table without bread in Azerbaijan and also in Nakhchivan. In connection with this, the assortment of bread in Nakhchivan is different; the tendir lavash as thin as paper, galin (thick), dastana, and komba (ash cake). If prepared to saj it was called lavash, "Juha salmag" – spread Juha, lavash bread on saj, and if prepared in the tandir, the "llavash yapmag" lavash bread stick. The fact is that it was necessary to stick lavash bread on the hot inner walls of the tandir.

it is impossible to fight with lavash bread, as the proverb reads "Gyaldi lavash – Bitdili Savas" – "Came lavash – the end of the war". There are many people’s ideological expressions about lavash "Yavash-yavash -pendir- lavash " "Quietly (slow) – cheese lavash " or "Khamrali hash – bagryna bass", "Khamraliev" (kind of bread) push to the chest, i.e. . lavash bread – eat slowly. "Of lavash folk sandwiches are made in a roll shape – durmek. In the village where children ran out to play or school they were supplied with these sandwiches. Inside durmeks – rolls was put butter and jam, cheese, cottage cheese and butter, cheese with herbs, potatoes, boiled eggs, etc."{{cite web|url=http://www.nakhchivan.az/portal-en/mil-metb.htm|title=NAXÇIVAN MUXTAR RESPUBLİKASI – rəsmi portal|work=nakhchivan.az}}

{{main|Ashabi-Kahf in Nakhchivan}}

Ashabi-Kahf is a sanctuary in a natural cave which is located in the eastern part of the city of Nakhchivan, between the mountains of Ilandag and Nahajir in Azerbaijan.Since ancient times Ashabi-Kahf is considered as a sacred place.It is known not only in Nakhchivan, but also in other regions of Azerbaijan and countries of the Middle East.Each year ten thousands of people make a pilgrimage to this place.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}

The city also has many historical museums, the literature museum of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Nakhchivan State History Museum, The Nakhchivan State Carpet Museum, and the house museums of Jamshid Nakhchivanski and Bahruz Kangarli.{{cite web|url=http://www.nakhchivan.az/portal-en/muz-ler.htm|title=NAXÇIVAN MUXTAR RESPUBLİKASI – rəsmi portal|work=nakhchivan.az|access-date=8 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828134500/http://www.nakhchivan.az/portal-en/muz-ler.htm|archive-date=28 August 2018|url-status=dead}} There is also an archaeological museum found on Istiqlal street. The city has a few interesting mosques, particularly the Juma mosque, with its large dome.

Modern museums in Nakchivan include the Museum under Open Air, Heydar Aliyev Museum and the Memorial Museum (Xatıra Muzeyi), dedicated to the national strife between Armenia and Azerbaijan.{{cite web|last1=Peart|first1=Ian|title=Land of Legend – Nakhchivan|url=http://www.visions.az/winter2011_045,243/|website=www.visions.az|access-date=13 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113151241/http://www.visions.az/winter2011_045,243/|archive-date=13 November 2014|url-status=dead}}

The regional channels Nakhchivan TV and now-defunct Kanal 35, and newspaper Sharg Gapisi are headquartered in the city.{{cite web|title=Radio-TV yayımı|url=http://www.mincom.gov.az/fealiyyet/radio-tv-yayimi/|access-date=13 November 2014|language=az|archive-date=27 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027130212/http://www.mincom.gov.az/fealiyyet/radio-tv-yayimi/|url-status=live}}

Araz Naxçivan one of the top futsal clubs in the European futsal arena and regularly participates in UEFA Futsal Cup.[http://capital.trendaz.com/news/sports/795109.html Футзальный клуб «Араз» определился с соперниками по элитному раунду Кубка чемпионов] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120707035343/http://capital.trendaz.com/news/sports/795109.html |date=7 July 2012 }} {{in lang|ru}}{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/futsalcup/news/kind=1/newsid=900489.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005112914/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/futsalcup/news/kind=1/newsid=900489.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 October 2009|title=Happy Friday night for Benfica, Puntar and Araz|website=UEFA|access-date=2 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/futsalcup/clubs/club=90395/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051020023124/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/FutsalCup/Clubs/Club=90395/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 October 2005|title=Club's uefa.com profile|website=UEFA|access-date=2 April 2018}}

Nakhchivan had one professional football team, Araz-Naxçıvan, which competed in the top-flight of Azerbaijani football, the Azerbaijan Premier League.{{cite web|script-title=ru:В Нахчыване появится футбольный клуб Араз|url=http://www.azerifootball.com/ru/13/news/19721.html|work=Azerifootball.com|access-date=23 May 2013|language=ru|archive-date=4 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104160200/http://www.azerifootball.com/ru/13/news/19721.html|url-status=live}}

In 2014, the city hosted Masters Weightlifting World Cup.{{cite web|title=Masters World Cup 2014|url=http://nakhchivan2014.com/|website=nakhchivan2014.com|access-date=13 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110191534/http://nakhchivan2014.com/|archive-date=10 January 2016|url-status=dead}}

Nakhchivan is known for its "Goyja" fruit, sort of a cherry-plum, and hosts a traditional Goyja festival at the Nakhchivangala Historical-Architectural Museum Complex. Products made from goyja—jam, compote (drink), pickles, dried, lavasha (bread) – are shown at the festival.{{Cite web|url=http://turizm.nakhchivan.az/en/index.php/ne/583-delicious-goyja-of-nakhchivan|title=Delicious goyja of Nakhchivan|website=turizm.nakhchivan.az|access-date=2019-06-28|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204065021/http://turizm.nakhchivan.az/en/index.php/ne/583-delicious-goyja-of-nakhchivan|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://turizm.nakhchivan.az/en/index.php/ne/580-the-traditional-goyja-festival-will-be-held-in-nakhchivan|title=The traditional GOYJA FESTIVAL will be held in Nakhchivan|website=turizm.nakhchivan.az|access-date=2019-06-28|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204065020/http://turizm.nakhchivan.az/en/index.php/ne/580-the-traditional-goyja-festival-will-be-held-in-nakhchivan|url-status=live}}

Another festival organized annually in Nakhchivan is associated with kata ({{Langx|az|kətə}}) – flat pie with greens, which is made with shomu (wild spinach), mixed greens, desert candle, pumpkin, asphodel, nettle, bean or lentil in a dough wrapped in the shape of an envelope and cooked in a tandir. Kata festival is aimed to show and promote the preparation manner of various types of the kata specific to different regions of NAR. The festival is held at the Historical-Architectural Museum Complex "Nakhchivangala" in April.{{Cite web|url=http://naxcivantv.az/index.php/news/2658-kete.html|title=Cuisine of Nakhchivan – Kata|website=Naxçıvan TV|language=az-az|access-date=2019-08-29|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204065020/http://naxcivantv.az/index.php/news/2658-kete.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://turizm.nakhchivan.az/en/index.php/ne/538-kata-festival-finished|title="Kata" festival finished|website=turizm.nakhchivan.az|access-date=2019-08-29|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204065039/http://turizm.nakhchivan.az/en/index.php/ne/538-kata-festival-finished|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://azertag.az/xeber/Naxchivanda_kete_festivali_kechirilecek-1264540|title=Naxçıvanda kətə festivalı keçiriləcək|website=State News Agency of Azerbaijan|language=az|access-date=2019-08-29|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204064958/https://azertag.az/xeber/Naxchivanda_kete_festivali_kechirilecek-1264540|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.serqqapisi.az/index.php/ictimai-siaysi/18449-kaetae-festival-boeyuk-marazhla-zharsh-lan-b|title="Kətə" festivalı böyük maraqla qarşılanıb – serqqapisi.az|website=Şərq Qapısı newspaper|access-date=2019-08-29}}

There are 3 professional, 6 musical, 22 secondary schools and a military cadet school in Nakhchivan administered by the city council.{{cite web|url=http://www.nakhchivan.az/portal-en/map-nax-seh.htm|title=Naxçıvan Muxtar Respublikası|work=nakhchivan.az|access-date=8 October 2009|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204065024/http://www.nakhchivan.az/portal-en/map-nax-seh.htm|url-status=live}}

Nakhchivan is home to numerous universities:

• Nakhchivan State University
• Nakhchivan Private University
• Nakhchivan Teachers Institute

Nakhchivan's trolleybus system consisted of three lines at its height and existed until 2004.{{cite web|title=15. Нахичевань (троллейбус)|trans-title=15. Nahičevan (trolleybus)|url=http://transit.parovoz.com/masstransit/index.php?ID=15|work=Горэлектротранс (Electrotrans) website|publisher=Дмитрий Зиновьев (Dmitry Zinoviev)|access-date=26 September 2012|language=ru|archive-date=11 January 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111082125/http://transit.parovoz.com/masstransit/index.php?ID=15|url-status=live}}

File:NAJ front1.jpg

Nakhchivan International Airport is the only commercial airport serving Nakhchivan. The airport is connected by bus to the city center. There are domestic flights to Baku and international service to Russia and Turkey.

Currently, a light rail line operates from Nakhchivan southeast to Ordubad and northwest to Sharur.{{cite web|url=http://www.nakhchivan.az/portal-en/neqliyyat.htm|title=NAXÇIVAN MUXTAR RESPUBLİKASI – rəsmi portal|work=nakhchivan.az|access-date=8 October 2009|archive-date=10 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610063246/http://www.nakhchivan.az/portal-en/neqliyyat.htm|url-status=live}}

{{details|:Category:People from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic}}

The city's notable residents include: president of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, Huseyn Javid – poet and playwright, founder of the progressive romanticism in Azerbaijani literature, writer Jalil Mammadguluzadeh, opera singer Azer Zeynalov, film director Rza Tahmasib, generals Huseyn Khan Nakhchivanski and Jamshid Nakhchivanski, artist Bahruz Kangarli and architect Ajami Nakhchivani.{{cite web|url=http://www.knowbysight.info/AAA/00188.asp|script-title=ru:Алиев Гейдар Али Рза оглы|publisher=Справочник по истории Коммунистической партии и Советского Союза 1898–1991|language=ru|title=00188|access-date=11 December 2010|archive-date=2 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002212200/http://www.knowbysight.info/AAA/00188.asp|url-status=live}} Armenian actress Hasmik who was a People's Artist of the Armenian SSR (1935), Hero of Labour (1936) and received an Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1945).

File:Heydar Aliyev 1997.jpg|Heydar Aliyev, was the longest serving political leader in Azerbaijan.

File:Huseyn Javid.jpg|Huseyn Javid, was the founder of the progressive romanticism in Azerbaijani literature.

File:Jalil Mammadguluzadeh, c. 1920.jpg|Jalil Mammadguluzadeh, was an Azerbaijani satirist and writer.

File:Dudanginski.jpg|Abdurrahman Fatalibeyli, was a Soviet army major who defected to the German forces during World War II.

File:Khetcho Commander of cavalry Armenian volunteer units.jpg|Khetcho, Armenian activist, combatant and one of key supporter of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution

File:Jamshid Nakhchivanski in 1931.jpg|Jamshid Nakhchivanski, was a Russian Imperial, Azerbaijani and Soviet military commander.

File:Stamps of Azerbaijan, 2016-1247.jpg|Memar Ajami, the founder of the Nakhchivan school of architecture

File:Bahruz Kengerli.jpg|Bahruz Kangarli, the founder of realistic easel painting of Azerbaijan.

File:Rza tahmasib.jpg|Rza Tahmasib, film director and actor.

File:Khan Nakhichevanski.jpg|Huseyn Khan Nakhchivanski, was the only Muslim to serve as General-Adjutant of the Russian Emperor.

File:Nazli Najafova.png|alt=The Azeri educator Nazli Najafova.|Nazli Najafova, pioneering educator of women and girls.

File:AR Prezident Administrasiyasının ictimai-siyasi məsələlər şöbəsinin müdiri Əli Həsənov - VOA - 02.jpg|Ali M. Hasanov, served as the National Adviser to the President of Azerbaijan.

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Asia#Azerbaijan|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Azerbaijan}}

Nakhchivan is twinned with various cities.

• {{flagicon|GEO}} Batumi, Georgia, {{small|(since 2012)}}{{cite web|url=http://www.batumi.ge/en/?page=show&sec=5|title=Batumi – Twin Towns & Sister Cities|access-date=2013-08-10|work=Batumi City Hall|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504220350/http://www.batumi.ge/en/?page=show&sec=5|archive-date=2012-05-04}}
• {{flagicon|BLS}} Brest, Belarus
• {{flagicon|BUL}} Tarnovo, Bulgaria
• {{flagicon|CN}} Urumchi, China (since 2025)

File:Nakhchivan city.JPG|Nakhchivan city

File:Nakhchivan khan palace7.JPG|Palace of Nakhchivan Khans

File:Momine Fragment.jpg|Face Pattern of the Momine Khatun Mausoleum

File:Huseyn Javid Home-Museum at Nakhchivan (general view).jpg|Huseyn Javid Home-Museum at Nakhchivan (general view)

File:City of naxcivan view from plane.jpg|The aerial view of the city in 2006

File:First language in Azerbaijani.JPG|Monument for the Azerbaijani language

File:Nakhchivan city femme centre.JPG|Old Mosque (17-18 Centuries)

File:Təbriz mehmanxanasından görünüş.jpg|View from Tabriz Hotel

File:Naxçıvan xan sarayı42.jpg| Palace of Nakhchivan Khans is historical and architectural monument of the 18th century located in Nakhchivan.

• Nakhchivan Khanate - Turkic Khanate which ruled over the region in 18th century
• Thamanin in southeast Turkey
• Battle of Nakhicevan

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite encyclopedia | article =GENOA| last1 = Bernardini| first1 =Michele | url =http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/genoa-| encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Iranica | year =2000}}
• {{cite book |last=Blankinship|first=Khalid Yahya |date=1994|title=The End of the Jihad State: The Reign of Hisham Ibn 'Abd al-Malik and the Collapse of the Umayyads|publisher=State University of New York Press}}
• {{cite encyclopedia | article =NAḴJAVĀN| last1 = Bosworth| first1 =C. Edmund | url =http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/nakjavan| encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Iranica | year =2013}}
• {{cite encyclopedia | article =ARMENIA AND IRAN ii. The pre-Islamic period| last1 = Chaumont| first1 =M. L. | url =http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/armenia-ii| encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Iranica | year =1986}}
• {{cite book |last=Hille|first=Charlotte Mathilde Louise |date=2010 |title=State Building and Conflict Resolution in the Caucasus|publisher=BRILL}}
• {{cite book |last=Lanser|first=Richard D.|date=2007|url=http://www.noahsarksearch.com/An_Armenian_Perspective_On_The_Search_For_Noah%27s_Ark.pdf|title=An Armenian Perspective on the Search for Noah's Ark |publisher=Associates for Biblical Research}}
• {{cite book |last=Lint|first=Theo van|date=2018|chapter=Nakhchivan|title=The Oxford Dictionary of Late Antiquity, ed. Oliver Nicholson|publisher=Oxford University Press}}
• {{cite book |last=Rayfield|first=Donald |date=2013|title=Edge of Empires: A History of Georgia|publisher=Reaktion Books}}
• {{cite book |last1=Thomas|first1=David|last2=Mallett|first2=Alexander |first3=Barbara |last3=Roggema |date=2010|title=Christian-Muslim Relations. A Bibliographical History. Volume 2 (900–1050)|publisher=BRILL}}
• [http://doi.science.gov.az/pages/journals/azh/pdf/azh2024_1_29.pdf Jamalova Nigar. Armenia’s plans on the Nakhchivan territory and the countermeasures of the Azerbaijan government (1918-1920). Journal of Azərbaycan Tarixşünaslığı / Azerbaijan Historiography. 2024/6. p.25-49]

{{Commons category|Nakhchivan (city)}}

• [http://www.azeri.net/azerbaijan/category/cities/nakhchivan/ Nakhchivan Guide]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090918144912/http://www.nakhchivan.az/ Nakhchivan Portal]
• {{GEOnet2|32FA8815009B3774E0440003BA962ED3|Nakhchivan (as Naxçıvan)}}
• [http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&geo=-26&srt=npan&col=abcdefghinoq&msz=1500&pt=c&va=x World Gazetteer: Azerbaijan]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} – World-Gazetteer.com

{{Nakhchivan City}}

{{Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan}}

{{List of European capitals by region}}

{{Iranian Architecture}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nakhchivan (city)}}

Category:Populated places in Azerbaijan

Category:Districts of Azerbaijan

Category:Subdivisions of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

Category:Erivan Governorate

Category:Mount Ararat

Category:Nakhichevan Khanate