Sheki · Built 1762 · Shebeke glass mosaics · UNESCO candidate
The Palace of the Sheki Khans, built in 1762, is one of the finest examples of 18th-century Azerbaijani architecture and is considered one of the architectural jewels of the entire Caucasus region. What makes it extraordinary is not its size — it is actually quite small — but the breathtaking craftsmanship of its interior.
The palace's windows and walls are made of shebeke — a form of stained glass mosaic where thousands of tiny pieces of colored glass are assembled without glue or nails, held in place by their own interlocking structure. Over 5,000 shebeke panels contain 14,000 individual panes of colored glass in 200 different shapes. When sunlight passes through them, the interior is transformed into a kaleidoscope of colored light.
The walls are covered in frescoes depicting hunting scenes, battle victories, floral designs, and birds. No paint has been touched up in over 250 years — the frescoes remain startlingly vibrant.