Zangilan

Zangilan is a small city in southwestern Azerbaijan, set in the East Zangezur economic region near the borders of Iran and Armenia. After decades under occupation, the city is being rebuilt around a green 'park city' master plan, with generous green spaces, modern housing and new infrastructure rising alongside its surrounding mountains and river valleys.

The city has a turbulent recent history: it was occupied in October 1993 and liberated on 20 October 2020, a date now celebrated as Zangilan City Day. Large-scale reconstruction has followed, and displaced families began returning in 2022, starting with the Aghali 'smart village' pilot project and expanding into the rebuilt urban centre.

Zangilan's strongest natural landmark is the centuries-old oriental plane tree forest in the Basitchay river basin, one of the largest of its kind in the world and the largest in Europe. The district also holds medieval heritage such as the Mammadbayli and Sharifan mausoleums, the restored Zangilan mosque and the Bartaz maiden tower, set among forests, meadows and cliffs.

The city's master plan positions it as a hub for logistics, tourism, trade and renewable energy. Recent projects include Zangilan International Airport, a digital substation, hydroelectric stations and agropark development, giving the rebuilt city a more modern economic role than its pre-war profile.

Zangilan suits travellers interested in nature, history and the visible reconstruction of Azerbaijan's liberated territories, while its border location, airport and developing logistics role make it increasingly relevant for business visitors and regional projects.