April 18 is annually observed as the International Day for Monuments and Sites. This Day was established in 1983 by the Assembly of the International Council for the Protection of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), created by UNESCO. It aims to bring global attention to the need to conserve monuments and sites as our cultural heritage and to “celebrate the diversity of this heritage”.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is the advisory body of the UNESCO World Heritage Center and a non-governmental organization that works on preserving and conserving historical and archeological heritage sites worldwide. ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites).

This significant day is widely celebrated in Azerbaijan. Every year on this day, various events and exhibitions are held in nature reserves and historical places aimed at promoting the preservation of monuments and historical places.

Our country is one of the first places of origin of human civilization. The results of archaeological excavations show that the difficult and honorable path of the people who lived in Azerbaijan is reflected in ancient settlements and numerous monuments. These monuments, which have survived to this day, are protected today as very valuable specimens. Throughout our country there are historical monuments spanning centuries and millennia. They are an inextricable link connecting our people with the land and their ancestors. The lower jawbone of an ancient man, found in the Azykh cave and named Azykhanthrop, proves that Azerbaijan is one of the oldest primitive human settlements in the world. The settlements discovered in Gobustan confirm that people have lived in this area since ancient times.

The formation of Manna and later Atropatena in the southern regions of our country, contributed to the emergence of cities and defensive structures, as well as to the construction of majestic fortress walls. During the existence of Caucasian Albania, important steps were taken in the field of urban planning. The powerful fortress walls of the city of Gabala, an aqueduct built of earthen pipes, a stone defensive system on the Demirgapi pass, Chiraggala, a round Christian temple in the village of Lekit and other buildings testify to a high level of urban planning culture. In general, valuable monuments were built on the territory of our country before and after the spread of Islam. Medieval monuments (Momine Khatun, Karabaglar, Gulistan, Bardin tombs, the palace of Shirvanshahs, the palace of Shaki Khan, monuments of the city of Shushi, etc.) are not only among the most beautiful pearls of oriental, but also of world architecture.

Our national leader Heydar Aliyev, who considered cultural and historical monuments to the national treasure of our people, throughout its activities, has done a great work to preserve the historical and cultural heritage, a rich legislative base was created in this area. The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, adopted in 1995, establishes the protection of historical and cultural monuments as the duty of every person. In addition, the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments”, adopted on April 10, 1998, reflects the state provision of protection of monuments, the degree of their significance, study, and protection.

Thanks to the attention and care of President Ilham Aliyev, a worthy follower of the political course of our national leader, the restoration, protection, and research of historical monuments are included in the list of important events held in the country. Several of our historical monuments are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The list of immovable historical and cultural monuments protected by the state, approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated August 2, 2011, includes:1,067 monuments of world significance in the Gobustan Reserve, 3 monuments of the world, 93 monuments of the republican, 2568 monuments of local importance in the historical and architectural reserve "Icherisheher", 7 monuments of republican, 234 monuments of local significance in the historical and ethnographic reserve "Gala", 1 monument of world history, 5 of republican, 7 of local significance in the historical and cultural reserve "Nardaran", 1 monument of world significance in the historical and architectural reserve "Ateshgah Temple". In recent years, about 1,700 new monuments have been identified in the country.

To ensure the preservation of the national cultural heritage and the implementation of the development concept "Azerbaijan 2020: Look into the Future", by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated December 27, 2013, the "State Program for the Restoration, protection of immovable historical and cultural monuments, improvement and development of historical and cultural reserves for 2014-2020" was approved. The main purpose of this program is to ensure the restoration and protection of immovable historical and cultural monuments, improve and develop the activities of historical and cultural reserves, train highly qualified professional personnel for the protection and restoration of immovable historical and cultural monuments, and develop cooperation with international organizations.

As a result of centuries-old wars and occupations, some historical monuments were destroyed or erased. This vandalism has not spared our country either. Armenian military formations have barbarously destroyed monuments of national culture on our lands, which had been under occupation for many years. In the regions of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, 13 monuments of world significance 6 of which are architectural and 7 are archaeological, 292 of national significance, 330 monuments of local significance, 22 museums, hundreds of cultural and educational institutions were either completely destroyed or seriously damaged.

Thanks to the correct policy of the head of state, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the strength of our army and the will of our people, as a result of the 44-day Patriotic War, the lands that were under Armenian occupation were liberated. Currently, based on the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, large-scale work is being carried out to restore and bring to future generations our historical monuments, barbarously destroyed and damaged by the Armenian invaders.

It is thanks to the great attention and care of the government that important work is being carried out aimed at research, protection and restoration of historical monuments, and popularization of cultural samples in the international arena. All this ensures the integration of Azerbaijan into the global world along with its material and spiritual culture.

Recommended literature:

1. Xıdırov, Cavanşir Vəli oğlu. Şərqin tarixi abidələri / C. V. Xıdırov ; red. A. Şükürov. - Bakı : Adiloğlu, 2004. - 370 s.
2. Ələkbərli, Əziz Yusif oğlu. Qərbi Azərbaycan abidələri / Ə. Y. Ələkbərli ; red.: B. Ə. Budaqov, V. H. Əliyev, C. Qiyasi ; Azərbaycan Respublikası Mədəniyyət və Turizm Nazirliyi. - Bakı : Nurlan, 2007. - 272 s.
3. Memarlıq abidələrinin qorunması və bərpası / AMEA M. Füzuli adına Əlyazmalar İnstitutu ; elmi red. Ş. S. Fətullayev-Fiqarov. - Bakı : Təknur MMC, 2012. - 200 s.
4. Azərbaycanın dünya əhəmiyyətli abidələri / R. Ş. Əliyeva [et al.] ; elmi red. S. X. Hacıyeva ; AMEA Memarlıq və İncəsənət İnstitutu. - Bakı : Avropa nəşriyyatı, 2015. - 175 s.
5. Stone Guards = Daş keşikçilər / Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Paşa Həyat Sığorta ; trans.: I. Asadov [et al.] ; project manager, ed. M. Marjanli ; ed.: Z. Asgarova, G. Lysenko. - Dubai : IRS Publishing House, 2018. - 208 p.