Mixed
Le paysage culturel du peuple Khinalig et la route de transhumance « Köç Yolu »
Located in the mountainous regions of Azerbaijan, this mixed heritage site encompasses the cultural landscape of the Khinalig people and the transhumance route known as Köç Yolu. The Khinalig represent an indigenous highland community with a distinctive cultural identity reflected in their settlement patterns, traditional architecture, and pastoral practices that have evolved over centuries. The site documents the intricate relationship between human settlement and the seasonal migration routes used for livestock herding across the Caucasus mountains, practices that have shaped both the physical landscape and the social structures of the region. The cultural landscape is characterized by traditional villages, terraced agricultural systems, and pathways that connect grazing lands at different elevations, demonstrating adaptive responses to the mountainous terrain. This nomination recognizes the significance of preserving both the tangible elements of the built environment and the intangible cultural practices associated with pastoral livelihoods and community organization. The site represents an important example of how indigenous communities have maintained sustainable relationships with their environment through traditional knowledge systems and land management practices.
