Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijan's beautiful Goychay city, famous for its Pomegranate Festival, and Italy's Valmontone city, rich in stunning architecture, became twin cities.

Goychay, located 220 kilometer away from Azerbaijan's capital, was built in the north of the Shirvan plain in central Azerbaijan.

The city hold famous architectural pearls such as the Yukhari Mosque and the underground bath built about 100 years ago, the Surkhay fortress built under the Arab Caliphate in the 12th -14th centuries, and four mosques in different villages. There is a spring of healing water near the Surkhay fortress, which used to belong to Surkhay Khan of Gazikumukh Khanate.

Being the king of all fruits, pomegranate is cultivated everywhere in Azerbaijan. The Shirvan region is regar­ded as a center of the production of the best pomegranates, and a pomegranate festival is held in Goychay every year.

Some 60-65 sorts of pomegranates are known here, but the most popular one is "Guloysha". Sourish, juicy, sour-sweet, big, red and, mouth-watering pomegra­nates can be found there.

The pomegranate factory, which was opened here in 1960, produces narsharab, pomegranate juice, and pomegranate syrup. Its grains are also used to make juice, wine, and syrup. Narsharab is served with oily food, gutabs (an Azerbaijani dish made of thinly rolled dough with different filling that may be cooked briefly on a convex griddle), and fried fish.

Goychay has beautiful architecture too. Each of the classical one-storey houses is at least 100 years old. Built after Goychay was declared a district center in late 19th century, these houses have one distinguished feature; they are totally painted white. Local residents usually bleach their hou­ses and fences from outside once a year.

The origins of the Italian Valmontone are uncertain; it seems a village was founded before the rise of Rome on a hill in the modern municipality of the town, and its ruins were visible until the 18th century.

During the Second World War, Allies thought the Nazi forces were garrisoning the city, so they bombed Valmontone with airplanes, nearly destroying it completely. Valmontone lost 80 percent of its ancient buildings, including the fortified gates, the monasteries, fountains, and churches. With the post-war reconstruction, the town lost its medieval and baroque appeal, of which only a few sights survived.

An agreement inked by head of Goychay Executive Power Mansur Mammadov and Valmontone Mayor Alberto Latini, will see the two cities enhancing bilateral relations in educational, economic, social, cultural, art, and sport fields. They will also encourage information and experience exchange.

Speaking at the signing ceremony which took place at Palazzo Doria in Valmontone, Latini recalled last year's visit by a delegation from Goychay to the city, saying that Goychay was a door to the East for Valmontone, while his city was a door to Europe for Goychay.

Mammadov, in turn, emphasized the importance of building relations between the two cities in the fields of agriculture, education, and culture.

He said Goychay is known for its pomegranate, noting that the industry has enjoyed rapid growth in recent years.

He said Goychay hosts an annual pomegranate festival, and proposed organizing it together with Italian cities.

"This will give impetus to developing relations between our peoples," Mammadov said.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Italy Vagif Sadigov praised Azerbaijan and Italy's relations in economic, educational, cultural, and humanitarian areas.