Goychay

This jewelry piece pays homage to the pomegranate, known as the ‘King of Fruits’ and a symbol in numerous religions and cultures. Goychay, located in the Shirvan Valley, is a major center for pomegranate cultivation in Azerbaijan. Established in the 15th century, the city originally settled people relocating from Garaman Baylarbaylik (now part of Turkey), and in the 19th century, it became a refuge for those displaced by the Shamakhi earthquake. The city’s name, meaning ‘blue river,’ reflects the pristine waters flowing through it. For centuries, the region’s favorable climate and fertile soil have made pomegranates the primary source of income for locals. In Goychay, all known pomegranate varieties are grown, and the annual ‘Pomegranate Festival’ celebrates this long-standing cultural heritage during the harvest season.