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"The Great Wall of China"

The Great Wall of China is one of the most significant ancient architectural structures in the world. It is a chain of fortifications in the north of the country, built to protect against warlike nomads and to mark the state’s border. Nowadays, the focus has shifted—the Great Wall itself has become a protected national monument and has been included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Construction of the Great Wall began in the 3rd century BCE and continued for nearly two thousand years, until 1644. Initially, small, disjointed kingdoms built defensive barriers along their borders. However, when Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified these principalities into a single empire between 230 and 221 BCE, he ordered the construction of a continuous wall along the empire’s northern border. One million people—20% of China’s population at the time—were involved in the construction. The main challenge was that the wall had to be built across uneven terrain, following the natural landscape, including all its hills and valleys. On the other hand, this very feature made the Great Wall of China a truly unique structure.
First and foremost, its scale is truly astonishing: the wall stretches nearly 9,000 kilometers, and with all its branches, it exceeds 21,000 kilometers. The width varies across different sections, reaching 5 to 7 meters, while the height ranges from 6 to 16 meters. The structure consists of towers, garrison posts, and fortresses connected by continuous walls. It also has 12 gates for border control and trade. At various times, the wall had up to 25,000 signal towers.
The oldest segments were built using a compacted mixture of earth, clay, straw, reeds, and stones. Later, stone slabs were laid atop compacted embankments. By the 14th–17th centuries, baked bricks became the primary building material.
However, it is important to note that the Great Wall of China is not just a symbol of imperial power but also a monument to human sacrifice. According to some estimates, around one million people perished during its construction. This number is shocking, especially considering that all the work was done manually, without modern equipment. Thousands of workers died from exhaustion, starvation, disease, and harsh labor conditions. A simple calculation reveals that for every 30 meters of the wall, one worker lost their life.
Legend has it that many of them were buried directly in or near the wall, which led to its grim nickname: “the largest cemetery in the world.” Some even believe that the wall became a giant tombstone, with every stone preserving the memory of the fallen.
The Great Wall of China is not only an extraordinary architectural achievement but also a symbol of an entire era’s grandeur and sacrifice. It showcases the incredible engineering skills of ancient China while serving as a solemn reminder of the high cost of its construction. Today, the wall stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving the history of many generations. It attracts millions of tourists, remaining an eternal monument to human labor, resilience, and the determination to protect one’s land.
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Quba şəhərində “Soyqırımı Memorial Kompleksi” tərəfindən həyata keçirilmiş “Mədəni İrsimiz: Dünən və Bu Gün” layihəsi çərçivəsində Qarabağda işğal zamanı dağıdılmış və Vətən müharibəsindən sonra yenidən bərpa edilən abidələrə həsr olunmuş sərgi növbəti dəfə Qusar Dövlət Rəsm Qalereyasında nümayiş olunub. Kompleksin əməkdaşı tərəfindən ziyarətçilərə sərgi haqqında müfəssəl məlumat verilib.

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"Louvre Museum"

The Louvre Museum is one of the most famous and largest art museums in the world. It is located in the center of Paris, on the right bank of the Seine River. The Louvre was originally built in 1190 by King Philip II of France as a fortress. Its purpose was to protect against attacks from the north. Later, after Louis XIV moved to the Palace of Versailles, the building began to be used primarily for storing art collections.
The museum opened in 1793. That same year, as a result of the French bourgeois revolution, the Bourbon dynasty was overthrown, and King Louis XVI was executed. It was decided that a museum would be established in one of the grand royal palace buildings in Paris. The Louvre Palace was built in the 12th century. For a time, it served as a fortress and prison. From the 15th to the 16th centuries, it became a place for storing rare art collections of French kings. The museum was opened to the public and became one of the centers where the most important works of world art were exhibited. Officially operating as a museum, the Louvre Museum houses more than 35,000 works of art.
Among the most interesting parts of the Louvre Palace are the Caryatid Hall and the Apollo Gallery. The Caryatid Hall, which connects to the Lescot wing of the palace, is considered the oldest hall of the Louvre. The graceful female figures carved in the hall signify the development of high craftsmanship, and the lines of female charm and beauty are skillfully celebrated.
The paintings in the museum are selected according to the period in which they were created. A valuable collection of personal belongings and art pieces once owned by many kings, as well as numerous works bought by individuals who collected art in France using their personal funds, are kept here. Additionally, during the Renaissance period, countless sculptures and objects belonging to estates were brought into the museum.
The Apollo Gallery reflects the court life of the 17th century. After a fire in 1661, the gallery was restored by Levo, and the interior was rearranged by Charles Le Brun, the court painter and a renowned master of the time.
Currently, the Louvre’s collections number over 250,000 items. Among the world’s most famous museums, the Louvre is the only one that provides a complete and comprehensive view of the development of Western European and Eastern art. The Louvre consists mainly of six departments.
One of the most famous architectural elements of the Louvre Museum is its glass pyramid. Designed by Chinese-American architect Ieoh Ming Pei in 1989, this pyramid serves as the main entrance to the museum. Today, the Louvre Museum remains one of humanity’s greatest cultural centers.
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"Alhambra Palace"

Located in the south of Spain, in the city of Granada, the Alhambra Palace is one of the most magnificent examples of Islamic architecture, holding an irreplaceable place in world cultural heritage due to its rich history, unique architecture, and cultural significance. The name Alhambra translates from Arabic as “Red Castle,” because the palace is mainly constructed from red bricks, which is reflected in the visual features of the palace. The palace was built in the 13th and 14th centuries by the rulers of the Nasrid dynasty and became the cultural, religious, and political symbol of the last center of the Andalusian Muslim state. The history of the Alhambra Palace dates back to the 9th century. Initially built as a simple fortress, this site gradually transformed into a larger complex. During the Nasrid dynasty period (1238–1492), which marked the peak of Islamic culture in Andalusia, the palace was particularly developed. During this period, the architecture, art, and connection with nature reached a new level, with scenic gardens, wide courtyards, and high-level architectural examples decorated with impressive and intricate patterns. The main purpose of this monumental complex, located around the city of Granada, was to function as both a fortress and the residence of the ruling family. Alhambra was also constructed as a defensive fortress and a strategic location. The various sections within the fortresses and the palace symbolized the peak of Andalusian culture and created a cultural heritage for future generations.
The main part of the palace complex is divided into three sections: the Alcazaba fortress, the royal residence, and the Generalife gardens. The Alcazaba is the oldest part of the palace, built for military purposes. This fortress aimed to control and defend the entire area of Granada.
The royal residence is the main palace where the rulers of the Nasrid dynasty lived, and it houses the highest examples of architecture. The most magnificent part of the palace is the Generalife, a place for the sultans to relax, famous for its magnificent gardens, fountains, and water channels. The Generalife gardens are also rich in various water sources, such as the “Pool of Dawn,” which highlights the beautiful and symbolic significance of the area.
The interior design of the Alhambra Palace is extraordinarily rich. Its walls and arches are adorned with magnificent geometric patterns and enriched with Arabic calligraphy and carvings. The palace’s Court of the Lions is particularly famous, featuring a fountain made up of 12 marble lion statues, symbolizing the refreshing power of water in life. The Hall of the Two Sisters draws attention with its unique design, with verses from the Quran engraved and various patterns and weavings incorporated. The palace’s architecture also boasts a rich water supply system, with fountains, pools, and water channels decorated with intricate patterns and ornaments throughout the entire palace.
After the conquest of Granada in 1492, the Alhambra became the residence of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. Although several changes were made during this period, the palace’s primary architecture was preserved. During the reign of King Charles V, a new European-style palace was built inside the complex, but these changes mainly affected the exterior sections, and Alhambra preserved all the characteristics of original Islamic architecture.
In the 19th century, restoration work on the palace began, and it once again became a cultural center. In 1984, the Alhambra Palace was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The palace is one of the most visited and best-preserved historical monuments in the world. Every year, millions of tourists visit this magnificent palace, experiencing the pinnacle of Andalusian Islamic architecture. Alhambra holds a special place not only in terms of architecture but also for its historical and cultural significance. This palace continues to maintain its position in history as a magnificent monument where the past, culture, and art converge.
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– Ahead of the Day of the Genocide of Azerbaijanis on 31 March, a video clip prepared by the Complex reflecting the 1918 genocide of Azerbaijanis was broadcast across 27 metro stations of the Baku Metro, on monitors installed by the Azerbaijan State Advertising Agency in Baku and various regions of the Republic, as well as on screens at the Baku Transport Agency, in shopping centers such as “28 Mall,” “Ganjlik Mall,” and “Metropark,” and in hotels located in the regions

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31 March 2025 – Commemorative event held on the occasion of the 107th anniversary of the genocides committed against Azerbaijanis

In April 2007, during repair and excavation works at the Quba city stadium, a mass grave was discovered. It was determined that the human remains found in the grave belonged to the local peaceful population who were subjected to genocide by Armenian Dashnak-bandit groups in 1918. Shortly after, based on Decree No. 673 dated December 30, 2009, by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the “Genocide Memorial Complex” was built in Quba city with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation during the years 2012–2013. On September 18, 2013, the Genocide Memorial Complex was inaugurated with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev. Over the past 12 years, more than 1 million people, including over 200,000 foreign visitors, have visited the complex. The Genocide Memorial Complex is the only ideological center in our country that reflects Armenian vandalism. The main mission of the complex is to declare the Armenian atrocities as they were and to promote the truth about Azerbaijan both locally and internationally.

In connection with the 107th anniversary of the March 31 genocide committed against Azerbaijanis, a commemorative event was held at the Genocide Memorial Complex. The event was jointly organized by the State Service for the Protection, Development, and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Executive Power of the Quba District, and the Genocide Memorial Complex in Quba city. The head of the State Service for the Protection, Development, and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mrs. Sabina Hajiyeva, the head of Quba District Executive Power, Mr. Ilgar Mahmudov, heads of local institutions and enterprises, as well as the district public, participated in the event.

At the beginning of the event, participants visited the monument of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and laid flowers at the monument. Afterwards, they visited the memorial monument located within the territory of the Complex.

The participants, who became acquainted with the museum section of the complex, were introduced to the tapestry exhibition titled “Cry of the Angels”, consisting of works dedicated to the 1918 genocide of Azerbaijanis by honored artist Adil Shikhaliyev. Additionally, brochures prepared by the Quba District Executive Power in connection with the exhibition were presented to the visitors.

The participants also viewed certificates and diplomas reflecting the achievements and accomplishments of the Complex’s staff over the past year.

The commemorative event, which lasted until the evening, was attended by representatives and employees of central and local executive authorities, institutions, organizations, media representatives, students, youth, and tens of thousands of citizens.

It is worth noting that the mentioned exhibition will be on display at the Genocide Memorial Complex for a duration of two months.