Lekh Castle

Lekh Castle
Löh qalası
Part of Mongol rule of Azerbaijan
Qanlıkənd, Kalbajar Rayon, Azerbaijan
Coordinates 40°13′25″N 46°06′51″E / 40.22361°N 46.11417°E / 40.22361; 46.11417Coordinates: 40°13′25″N 46°06′51″E / 40.22361°N 46.11417°E / 40.22361; 46.11417
Type Castle
Site history
Built 13th-14th centuries

Lekh Castle (Azerbaijani: Löh qalası), sometimes named Lev Castle is located west of the abandoned Qanlıkənd village of Kalbajar Rayon of Azerbaijan.[1][2]

History

Lekh Castle was built during Mongol rule of Azerbaijan in the 13th-14th centuries.[3] It is one of the castles located on Kalbajar's highlands. It was constructed over the Ayrım Gorge, on a high Khos forest mountain's ridge 600 metres from the right bank of Lev River flowing by Qanlıkənd village.[4] The archeologists suspect that the castle was built on caravan routes and its main purpose was to see and protect the coming and leaving caravans.[5]

Features of the castle

The castle is surrounded by a steep rock and streams from three sides, and looks like a natural rock relief. The only entrance to the castle is from the gates on the north-eastern edge. The internal length of the castle is 90 metres and its width is 35–40 metres. The internal castle is in the higher south-western corner. The average thickness of Lekh Castle is 1.3 metres.[1] There are water wells 3–5 metres deep which were utilized for storage and cooling of food and as a source of drinking water.[5] Nowadays, the walls are in ruins. Around Lekh Castle, there are other smaller satellite castles on surrounding mountain peaks such as Garavul (“Guard”) and Jomard castles.[1] Close to the Lekh Castle there are two caves where archeologist found items testifying of early presence of human beings.[5]

The castle bears a state historical importance.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Karabakh Foundation - Kalbajar". Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  2. ↑ War Against Azerbaijan - Targeting Cultural Heritage. 2007. ISBN 978-9952-8091-4-5. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  3. ↑ "Cultural Heritage" (PDF). Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  4. ↑ "Mağaralar - memarlığın ilkin nümunələri". Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  5. 1 2 3 "ABİDƏLƏR, QALALAR". Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  6. ↑ "Lex qalası". Retrieved 17 November 2010.
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