Azerbaijan is examining the use of digital technologies to document and protect historical and religious monuments, particularly sites in the liberated territories.
The issue was discussed at a conference in Baku on the preservation of historical and religious monuments, organised by the Ministry of Culture and the State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations.
The event brought together officials, experts, academics and representatives of religious communities to discuss documentation, restoration and the protection of cultural heritage.
Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations, said protecting monuments in conflict-affected areas is challenging because some sites have been damaged, neglected or inaccessible for long periods.
He said Azerbaijan needs to collect and organise information on the condition of heritage sites, suggesting that a unified database and digital map could help monitor individual monuments.
Digital mapping, 3D scanning, drones and satellite imagery can support the documentation and monitoring of sites, while artificial intelligence can also be used in the study and preservation of historical artefacts.
Speaking to AnewZ, Shabnam Safarova, Chair of ‘For Progress of Garabagh’, stressed the importance of moving from reactive restoration towards preventive preservation of Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage.
Culture Minister Adil Karimli said climate change, urbanisation and armed conflicts are among the main challenges facing historical, religious and architectural monuments.
He said hundreds of Azerbaijani historical and architectural monuments were destroyed or damaged during the 30-year occupation.
Karimli said large-scale restoration work is currently being carried out in Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur, with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation also involved in the process.
“Azerbaijan is doing everything to preserve this heritage in its original form and pass it on to future generations,” Karimli said.
Gulchohra Mammadova, Rector of the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, said research into damaged monuments in the liberated territories is continuing. Newly identified sites are being assessed for inclusion on the state-protected heritage list.
Gündüz Ismayilov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations, said the restoration approach applies to religious sites regardless of their faith tradition.
“Whether it is a mosque, synagogue, church or cemetery, regardless of whether it belongs to Christians or Muslim Azerbaijanis, we not only respect these sites as part of our cultural heritage, but also strive to preserve and protect them.”
Fazil Mustafa, Chairman of the Milli Majlis Committee on Public Associations and Religious Organisations, said Azerbaijan could contribute to the restoration of historical and religious sites abroad, including in Armenia, if conditions allow.
He added that discussions at the conference could contribute to improvements in relevant legislation.
The conference also examined the role of documentation, expert research and cooperation with local communities in the long-term protection of Azerbaijan’s historical and religious sites.
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