Unauthorized construction activities have been identified at a historic caravanserai located in the Garadagh district of Baku, a site officially registered as an architectural monument of national significance. The incident has prompted immediate intervention from heritage protection authorities.
According to information provided to the Operative Information Center-OMM by the State Service for the Protection, Development, and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, officials from the Baku Regional Department conducted an on-site inspection. The investigation revealed that historical inscriptions and tamgas (ancient symbols) on the structure had been covered with a sand-cement mortar, causing damage to the monument. The State Service has since removed the unauthorized materials, restoring the historical elements to their original state.
The Ministry of Culture is currently taking legal action against the individuals responsible for the damage, in accordance with Article 231.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses and the Law on the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments. The Garadagh district, historically situated along ancient trade routes, hosts several such structures, including the Sangachal caravanserai. Built in the 15th century, the site served as a vital stopover for merchants and travelers for centuries before being utilized as a catering facility in more recent times.
