Architect: Sheki Khan’s Palace carries the traces of Mesopotamian architecture - INTERVIEW

At the 43rd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the historical center of Sheki with the Khan's Palace were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Architect Sohrab Rahimov gave an interview to Report on architecture and historic importance of the Sheki Khan’s Palace.

- What peculiarities does the Sheki Khan’s Palace have in terms of architecture?

- Sheki Khan’s Palace is a building in the mixed Eastern style. Muqarnases, awl-shaped belt carry the Eastern, especially Mesopotamian traces. The first dome was built in 4000 B.C in Mesopotamia. The muqarnases are elements, which physically carry the load of half-dome, gradually share the load. These muqarnases are visible as a mirror in the dome in Sheki Khan’s Palace.

- What does the Sheki Khan’s Palace will benefit from inclusion in the World Heritage List?

- The historic part of Sheki has been recognized as one of the cultural center of our country for centuries. Inclusion in the World Heritage List will the give the Palace a global value. Such a decision is a price for Azerbaijan’s culture. Now, Sheki will be the cultural heritage of not only Azerbaijan, but also the mankind. This has many positive results for our state. Azerbaijan’s being known in the world and contributions to the tourism are main factors.

- What else works can be done in Sheki Khan’s Palace?

- I think Sheki Khan’s Palace is the first degree historical work. It’s impossible to put it into exploitation in accordance with its role. Not because there is not a notion of palace in the modern period. For instance, even if there is a historic bath in the Palace, it cannot be exploited as a first degree historic work. This palace can only be exploited as a museum after being restored timely according to its style. We must have an authority to protect historic works, the works must be repaired, preserved and exploited. Generally, some regions, including the region where Sheki Khan’s Palace is in, must be declared as a historic region. This means that that region is a historic value.