Located approximately 5km north of Sheki, and with a population of only 6,244, the tiny village of Kish is a shadow of it's once "mighty" glory. Walking the quiet cobble-stoned streets, you'd never guess that Kish's story is one of an ancient history and of "great" regional importance. Today, not much happens here, but that's the appeal.In the 1st century A.D. St. Elishe, a disciple of Thaddeus of Edessa, arrived to a place called Gis,
where he built a church and recited a liturgy. The church became the "spiritual center and the place of enlightenment of people of the East". From these early beginnings, Kish became not only a religious centre, but a political capital. The regional capital was initially here. The kingdom revolved around this place for several hundred years. That is until nature stepped in. Several major flood caused them to move the capital down the hill to Sheki, where it later flourished. Rather similar to other mountain villages in the area, in terms of old stone houses and cobble-stoned streets, Kish had a 
certain "Je ne sais quoi" that others lack. Peacefully set on either side of a valley, most of the alleyway are inaccessible to traffic. Other than the odd cow or chicken. There is plenty of opportunity to wander through the back streets catching a glimpse of everyday life. There's no running water in the village, so everyone needs to meet at one of the well-springs to get water. Where they gossip about, oh i don't know, the strange looking tourist wandering through the streets. But there is much more than well placed stones here. Kish has something that most other villages of it's kind don't, a real tourist attraction. Ohhhhh... Ahhhhhh...The church of Saint Elishe (title picture), is sort of what brought people here to begin with. And while traces can be found of the original 1st century site, what we see today is an 800 year old
construction. And actually, the Thor Heyerdahl Research Centre analysis of several artifacts dates the site as far back as 3,000BC. I say, just let the experts debate the origins and foundations, i just want to take some pictures. Finding the church is a piece of cake. The church is easy to find with well marked signs, in English, pointing the way. Just have faith following them. When it's time to turn, there will be a sign. Even being there at the height of tourist season, there was no one else there. You pay your 80 qapik/cents (or whatever) and check out the site. There
are some artifacts in the Church, labelled in English. And although it's not a great architectural achievement in human history, the surroundings are nice and the peace and quiet invaluable. On the site area a couple of unearthed graves. The skeletons unveiled are clearly different. Measuring some 6m tall, some theorist have concluded that Norsk people originated here. Ummmm... not sure about that one. But the kind caretakers took me to their house for some tea and laboured conversation. Half Russian, half English, smiling and nodding. So with a full bladder i decided to give the ruined Gelersan Gorusan palace a miss and headed back down the hill and towards Sheki.I would easily ranked Kish as one of my favourite places in Azerbaijan. In fact
I'd put it second, behind Xinaliq. Public buses leave, every 10 minutes or so, from the Teza Bazar in Sheki (20 qapik) and return to the same place. It is possible to stay overnight there. As a matter of fact the church curators offered room and board for about 5 manat. The air is clean, the people are friendly and the atmosphere is great, without question, if in the area, Kish is a must do for any traveller. 