Fizuli

Fuzuli is a city in south-western Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of Fuzuli District, set between the south-eastern foothills of the Karabakh range and the Araz River. It is today best known as a symbol of Karabakh's post-conflict recovery, having been recaptured by Azerbaijan in October 2020 and rebuilt as one of the region's new urban projects.

The city was founded in 1827 as Karabulagh and later renamed Fuzuli in 1959 in honour of the Azerbaijani poet Muhammad Fuzuli. After the city fell under Armenian control in 1993, most of its buildings were destroyed; the district and city remained largely in ruins until their liberation during the Second Karabakh War.

Nearby heritage includes the Azikh Cave, one of the world's oldest known human habitation sites, located about 17 km west of the city, along with monuments such as the 15th-century Mirali Tomb, the Hajigiyasaddin Mosque and a historic caravanserai in Garghabazar village.

Since 2020, Fuzuli has become a showcase of reconstruction. The Fuzuli International Airport, opened in 2021, serves as the air gateway to Karabakh, while new housing, the Victory Road, a central park and smart village projects are reshaping the city and surrounding settlements.

For visitors, Fuzuli offers a starting point for exploring the Karabakh region, including the road toward Shusha, memorial and heritage sites, and the newly built infrastructure that connects this recovering city with Baku and other parts of Azerbaijan.