Architecture is a system of buildings and structures that create a spatial environment for human life and activity. It is the art of creating buildings and structures in accordance with the laws of beauty. Along with monumental architecture, folk architecture has also developed throughout history. Reflecting the way of life and aesthetic views of the people to whom it belongs, folk architecture has become an inexhaustible source of creativity for monumental architecture.
The beginning of the history of architecture begins with the natural caves inhabited by primitive people. An example of this is the Azykh cave discovered in the foothills of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in Azerbaijan, in the Talish Mountains, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Zangilan, Kalbajar, Gadabay, Khanlar, Shamakhi and finally in the Fizuli region.
Along with the oldest settlements found in Gobustan (caves, various primitive shelters, etc.), megalithic architectural monuments – cromlexes, menhirs (shepherd’s stone), dolmens and cyclops are widespread in Azerbaijan. These devices, built of high stones, are popularly called “fortress” or “braid”. Chalkhangala (Bronze Age) near the city of Nakhchivan and Oglangala (II-I millennia BC) on the Garatepe wall on the bank of the Arpachay belong to the cyclopean structures. Fortress structures (Bastam, Danali, Galaoglu, etc.) were found in the territory of South Azerbaijan, near Araz.
In the territory of Azerbaijan In the IX-VII centuries, cities were formed, defensive structures and magnificent castle walls were built. The complex of monuments in Hasanli region, the study of tombs carved in the rocks on the shores of Lake Urmia shows that the type of apartment with a balcony was formed in Azerbaijan in the VII century. Of all the other architectural structures of that period, the fire shrines, the only religious building, have survived to the present day.
Since the 7th century, the development of architecture has changed in connection with the spread of Islam in Azerbaijan. In architecture, new types of buildings – mosques, madrasas, tombs, caravanserais, etc. construction has been the main line. During this period, along with Islamic buildings, Christian temples and defensive fortifications were built in some provinces of Caucasian Albania. Among them are Javanshir fortress in the territory of present-day Ismayilli region (about VII century), fortress complex near Yukhari Askipara village of Gazakh region (V-VIII centuries), Albanian temples in Boyuk Amirli village of Gabala region (IV-VIII centuries), Albanian church in Oguz city (medieval) , Albanian church in Khojavend region of Nagorno-Karabakh (I century), etc. attracts attention.