Ganja, Azerbaijan
This photo of the week comes from Ganja, Azerbaijan’s second-largest city in the northwestern part of the country. This fancy fountain is located in the city center in front of Ganja Philharmonic Hall.
Ganja is a strange city. Parts of the city appear war-torn, some parts seem sleepy, yet others are vibrant and extravagant. Clearly, this fountain is in the extravagant part. Walking from an area dominated by run-down, Soviet eyesores through a beautiful park to a stunning city center is strange.
Barely on the tourist route, Ganja is a blend of European Caucasus and forgotten Soviet. In many ways – like many places in this part of the world – the city is a relic of the Soviet era.
The Reds left their mark on much of the world. In Ganja, it is visible in the center of the city, Heydar Aliyev Square. The square and the surrounding area is filled with stately buildings, historic museums, ornate fountains, fancy hotels and, strangely, cleanliness.
In a partially-dilapidated city, the cleanliness is odd. The area around Heydar Aliyev Square has undergone a facelift, while the rest of the city lags behind. Ganja doesn’t have much to offer foreign tourists, but Heydar Aliyev Square is a nice area to wander should you happen to find yourself in this peculiar place.
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