Capital of the Nakhchivan republic is a city of Nakhchivan - one of the ancient cities of Azerbaijan located on the right coast of the Nakhchivanchay River at the height of 1000 m over the sea level. It is one of the ancient cities of the East. The city was destroyed many times for centuries but each time it was established, in XII-XIII centuries it was a capital of the state of Eldegizids. Nakhchivan was a capital of adjoining to Russia; in February 1924 it became a capital of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. University, Branch of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan is in Nakhchivan. There are Palace of Culture, Dramatic Theater, Puppet Show, literature and historical museums, museum of carpets, picture gallery here. Olympic Complex meeting all the modern requirements was built 2002. There is a museum house and mausoleum of eminent Azeri writer-dramatist Husein Javid who had become a victim of Stalin repressions. Nakhchivan is Mothereland of Azeri President Heydar Aliyev. His bust is established in the city. There are lot of historical monuments in the city. Among them are architectural complex of Imamzadeh (XII-XIII centuries); tower of Yerizdabad; Juma-mosque of XIX century; "Khan evi" (XIX century); bath of "Ismayil-khan" of XYIII century. The city is visited by many businessmen from Iran and Turkey. Both countries have their consulates to Nakhchivan. Where to stay Hotels: "Grand Nakhchivan" Tel. 4 59 30, "Tebriz" Tel. 5 67 47, "Ukraine" Tel. 5 53 83, "Araz" Tel. (50) 317 72 07, "Tehran" Tel. 5 12 69, "Gartal" Tel. 5 09 91, "Shahin" Tel. 5 68 54, "Xayal" Tel. 4 09 00, "Neshi-Jahan" Tel. 4 14 41, "Genjlik" Tel. 4 62 15. Where to eat Restaurants: "Neshi-Jahan" Tel. 4 14 41, "Ukraine" Tel. 5 53 83, "Azeri" Tel. 5 69 10, "Garabag", "Gala", "Gulustan", "Khayal" Tel. 4 09 00, cafes "Istanbul", "Genjlik" Tel. 4 32 15. You can taste the dishes, which has its receipts and particular of preparing, which are inhere only to this region.