Nestled in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus, Qusar lies in Azerbaijan’s north-east, not far from the border with Russia. In 1836, it was visited by the Russian Romantic poet, Mikhail Lermontov, who based his famous work “Ashiq Qarib” on the motifs of a local dastan. Today, Qusar is dotted with leafy parks and cultural museums just waiting to be explored.
Things to do in Qusar
In the heart of Qusar is the Museum of History, which showcases exhibits and artefacts that bring the city’s past to life. Also in Qusar is a museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Mikhail Lermontov, who holds literary ties to the city. Some of the poet’s most famous lines are inscribed on a memorial plate within the museum grounds.
Art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to the Qusar State Art Gallery, which occupies an elegant building overlooking General Mahmud Ebilov Square. Its collection is focused on works by Azerbaijani artists, ranging from paintings to sculptural and graphic works. To learn about the region’s carpet-weaving traditions, head to the Heydar Aliyev Center, which includes a memorial museum about the former Azerbaijani president after which it is named.
One of Qusar’s most popular green spaces is Nariman Narimanov Park, which is named after the Azerbaijani Bolshevik revolutionary and writer. A statue of Nariman Narimanov dominates the park and there are plenty of shaded benches where you can watch the world go by. On the other side of the Qusar River is sprawling National Flag Park, which is traversed by wooded hiking trails.
Getting around Qusar
Qusar is around 2.5 hours' drive from Baku and Heydar Aliyev International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Long-distance buses connect to Qusar while mini-buses and taxis travel throughout the city.