Shusha is a key city in the Karabakh region due to its geographical location and historical significance as one of Azerbaijan's major cultural, economic, and administrative centers.

Shusha was founded during the reign of the Azerbaijani Karabakh khanate's Panahali khan in the 18th century. Construction of the city kicked off in 1752 at about 1,600 meters above sea level in Karabakh and the capital of the khanate was moved to the city in 1756-1757.

On May 7, 2021 President Ilham Aliyev declared the historic Shusha city the country’s cultural capital. He has declared 2022 as a “Year of Shusha” as Panahali Khan laid the foundation of Shusha in 1752 and in 2022 Azerbaijan celebrated its 270th anniversary.

Shusha Municipality