Among the must-see destination in Nakhchivan is Alinja Castle, nicknamed The Machu Picchu of Caucasus located west of Khanega village, near Julfa City. Perched on top of Mount Alinja at an altitude of 1,811 metres above sea level, the fortress is not just a tourist landmark but also a symbol of historic struggle and centuries-old character. This ancient fortress dates back to the 6th century and is located on top of a mountain overlooking the stunning mountainous and deserted landscape. It’s known as the “The own Machu Picchu of Azerbaijan” because it closely resembles the famous ruins in Peru. The difference is that it’s way less humid, so it’s far less green.
To get there, you need to climb quite steep stairs, which takes around 45-60 minutes, depending on your stamina and the heat of the day. There are around 1750 steps to cover!
According to local folk etymology, the name comes from alinjak and Alinja Castle literally means “take off your hand,” a reference to the fortress’s legendary invincibility.
Even though some historians claim that the fortress is approximately 2,000 years old, the oldest source in which it has been mentioned is the epic Book of Dede Gorgud. The stories in this book are known for reflecting the important morals and values of the nomadic Turkic peoples’ social lifestyle and pre-Islamic beliefs.
Moreover, Alinja Castle once had significant military importance. The site was fortified in the 1140s when Naxçivan was at its most powerful, under a leader known as Eldegyz (Eldəniz) and the recent reconstruction of the former fortress used by Nakhchivan’s various ruling dynasties, the Atabeys, Hulakids, Jalairids and Safavids. In the past, during the 14th and early 15th centuries, Amir Teymur (Tamerlane) attempted to conquer it, but his efforts bore no fruit. The Alinja Castle defence resisted the attacks for 14 years, solidifying the fortress’s legendary status.