Aghdam, March 27, 2026 – The Europe Today: A record group of world-class international travelers visited the city of Aghdam on March 26 as part of a broader tour of Karabakh and East Zangezur, highlighting the region’s reconstruction and cultural heritage following its liberation.
The delegation, led by Harry Mitsidis—a British citizen of Greek origin and founder of the NomadMania club—included 79 travelers from 37 countries, marking the largest group of international visitors to the region to date.
During their visit, the travelers toured the historic Aghdam City Juma Mosque, where officials from the Office of the Special Representative of the President briefed them on its history. Built between 1868 and 1870, the mosque suffered extensive vandalism during the period of occupation before being restored by the Azerbaijani government following the city’s liberation.
The delegation also visited the remains of the Aghdam Bread Museum, which was destroyed during the occupation. Once considered the second museum of its kind globally, it housed rare artifacts related to grain cultivation, including fossilized grains, ancient agricultural tools, manuscripts, pottery, and historical texts. Many of these exhibits were reportedly looted or destroyed.
Visitors further observed the stark contrast between the city’s war-damaged ruins and newly constructed residential developments. They received detailed briefings on the extensive reconstruction and rehabilitation initiatives undertaken by the Azerbaijani state since the liberation of the region.
This visit marks the 16th organized trip by major international traveler clubs to Karabakh and East Zangezur between 2020 and 2025, underscoring growing global interest in the region. Officials noted that such visits play a significant role in promoting the liberated territories, particularly within the framework of “dark tourism,” while also showcasing ongoing recovery and development efforts.
