Most people rush off to see the Palace of Sheki Khans in the Sheki Fortress, and the Winter Palace (aka Shekikhanovs' House) is easily forgotten. However, despite being a little less lavish, it is still an architectural gem in its own right. You'll find it tucked away in a maze of cobblestone alleys behind two old caravanserais on Akhundzade Street, which links old and new Sheki. The Winter Palace was a residence for the Sheki khan's family back in the when Sheki was a semi-independent khanate. The rooms on the second floor are feature stunning frescoes of flora and fauna, as well as scenes from famous 12th-century poet Nizami’s Five Treasures. Other highlights include local architectural elements like the 'bukhara' fireplace and 'shebeke' stained-glass windows. Plan to visit Winter Palace and other customer-reviewed, writer-recommended Sheki attractions using our Sheki vacation planner.
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Winter Palace reviews
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One of the main drag to see the Winter Palace was the fact that you were allowed, unlike in the Summer Palace, to take pictures inside, and that, as somebody put it, you could walk at leisure inside..... more
One of the main drag to see the Winter Palace was the fact that you were allowed, unlike in the Summer Palace, to take pictures inside, and that, as somebody put it, you could walk at leisure inside..... more »
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It is a pity that many tourists leave Sheki without visiting the Khan's Winter Palace. It is not really far away from the Fortress. If you walk there, you must be patient because it is not very easy..... more
It is a pity that many tourists leave Sheki without visiting the Khan's Winter Palace. It is not really far away from the Fortress. If you walk there, you must be patient because it is not very easy..... more »
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Beautiful & Serene. Visited summer palace earlier was a bit busy and rushed. At winter palace I was myself! I got invited for tea by the caretaker
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Visited the summer palace earlier in the day; beautiful, but crowded, busy and rushed. Walked to the winter palace and found another world. No crowds, relaxed, no rush. Doesn't have the wealth of decoration, but one room is the equal of the summer palace and the guardian/guide is lovely and enthusiastic; we were invited for a cup of tea after our visit! This place deserves more visitors - but not too many! 😉
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