Sheki Khan's Palace and the art of shebeke
A guide to the Palace of the Sheki Khans, a UNESCO-listed masterpiece in northern Azerbaijan — its painted halls, the famous shebeke stained-glass windows made without nails or glue, and how to visit.
In the green foothills of the Greater Caucasus, the small city of Sheki holds one of the most beautiful buildings in Azerbaijan: the Palace of the Sheki Khans. Behind a facade of painted patterns and glittering coloured glass lies a summer residence so refined that it, and the historic centre around it, earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The palace
The Palace of the Sheki Khans was built in the 18th century as the summer residence of the local rulers. It is small but astonishingly rich: every surface of its main halls is painted with flowers, hunting scenes and battle scenes, and the interior glows with light filtered through coloured windows. It is a jewel-box of a building, valued for craftsmanship rather than scale.
Shebeke: glass without nails or glue
The palace's signature feature is shebeke — intricate stained-glass windows assembled from thousands of tiny pieces of wood and coloured glass fitted together entirely without nails or glue. The wooden lattice locks together by precision alone. Master craftsmen still practise the art in Sheki, and watching how the pieces interlock is half the wonder. Shebeke is exactly the kind of living craft that makes a monument feel connected to the present.
A UNESCO city
Sheki's importance goes beyond the palace. The Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan's Palace is inscribed by UNESCO, recognizing the town's role as a Silk Road trading centre with its caravanserais, craft traditions and setting. The palace is the crown, but the whole town is the heritage site.
How to visit
Sheki is a highlight of northern Azerbaijan and pairs naturally with the Sheki bazaar and the coppersmith village of Lahij. It fits into the wider story told in the guide to Azerbaijan's monuments.
Which official signals support this
- UNESCO lists the Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan's Palace as a World Heritage site
- the Azerbaijan Travel site presents the palace among the country's signature monuments
FAQ
What is the Palace of the Sheki Khans?
An 18th-century summer palace of the local rulers in Sheki, famous for its painted halls and coloured-glass windows. It is small but exceptionally refined.
What is shebeke?
Shebeke is a traditional craft of stained-glass windows assembled from thousands of pieces of wood and glass fitted together without nails or glue. The palace's windows are its most famous example.
Is Sheki a UNESCO site?
Yes — the Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan's Palace is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognizing the town's Silk Road heritage.
How do I visit?
Sheki is in northern Azerbaijan and combines well with its bazaar and nearby craft villages. Message us and we'll build it into an itinerary.
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