Gulustan Fortress (Shamakhi)
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Shamakhi, 
Azerbaijan| Gulustan Fortress | |
|---|---|
Azerbaijani: Gülüstan qalası | |
 | |
  Location within Azerbaijan | |
| General information | |
| Status | Ruined |
| Architectural style | Architectural school of Shirvan-Absheron |
| Location | Böyük Xınıslı, Shamakhi, Azerbaijan |
| Coordinates | 40°39′35″N 48°36′58″E / 40.659816°N 48.616236°E |
| Completed | 9th century |
| Destroyed | 1547 |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Limestone |
Gulustan Fortress or Castle (Azerbaijani: Gülüstan qalası) is a medieval castle dating back to the 9th-12th centuries located in Shamakhi District of Azerbaijan. Although the oldest archeological findings from the castle date back to the 9th century, the Gulustan castle was radically rebuilt and strengthened in the 12th century - the beginning of the 13th century.
The fortress rises 190-200 m above the surrounding territory.[1] The defensive walls of the fortress were built on the slopes of the mountain, and the citadel itself was built on the top. From the north, east and west, the fortress was surrounded by an abyss.[2] Today, fragments of ruins of round and quadrangular walls and towers have been preserved here.[3]
As a result of archaeological excavations on the territory of the fortress, the remains of buildings of the palace complex, samples of material culture of the 9th-12th centuries were discovered. [4] Water entered the Gulistan fortress using clay pipes. The fortress also had an underground passage.[4] Unlike other fortresses located on the territory of Azerbaijan (Galeyi Beygurt, Gulustan Fortress, etc.), the underground passage of the Gulistan fortress leading to the water is more complex and more carefully constructed.[5]
