Exploring The Distance: Baku To Krasnaya Sloboda

The distance between the Jewish settlement of Krasnaya Sloboda and Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is 165 km. Krasnaya Sloboda, also known as Red Village or Red Town, is located in the Quba district of Azerbaijan. The village is situated on the northern bank of the Kudiyal River, with a population of around 3,000-4,000 people, mostly Jews. It is widely believed to be the only place outside of Israel and the United States that is exclusively populated by Jewish people. The settlement was established in 1742 when the Khan of Quba allowed Jews fleeing persecution to settle across the river from his town.

Krasnaya Sloboda is 165 km from Baku

Krasnaya Sloboda, also known as Red Village or Red Town, is located 165 kilometres northwest of Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. The village is situated on the northern bank of the Kudiyal River, close to the settlement of Khinalig. The area boasts natural wonders such as the high ridges of the Shakhdag Mountain, the quiet and peaceful Kudiyal River, and the Tyangya Alty Waterfall.

Krasnaya Sloboda is believed to be the world's only population centre exclusively made up of Jewish people outside of Israel and the United States. The village is home to approximately 3,000 people, although the population has been declining in recent years due to emigration to larger Azerbaijani cities, Israel, Europe, and North America. The village is predominantly inhabited by Mountain Jews, who speak Juhuri, a mixture of Hebrew and Farsi.

The history of Krasnaya Sloboda dates back to the 18th century when the Khan of Quba, Huseynali Khan, granted permission for Jews facing persecution by Islamic fundamentalists to settle across the river from his town. This Jewish settlement, originally called Yevreyskaya Sloboda or Jewish Settlement, was established in 1742. The name was later changed to Krasnaya Sloboda, or Red Settlement, during Soviet rule in the 20th century.

During the Soviet era, the Jewish community in Krasnaya Sloboda faced hardships, with the closure of synagogues and the exile of rabbis to Siberia. However, the village's residents were shielded from the horrors of Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II due to their location within the Soviet Union. Today, the village still has seven preserved synagogues, built of bricks and decorated with onion domes.

The young population of Krasnaya Sloboda intends to stay in their native land and protect their Jewish identity, despite limited work opportunities in the area. The village is also known as Caucasian Yerushalayim or the Jerusalem of the Caucasus, as almost all the houses display a large shining Star of David.

It is a unique settlement of Jews in Azerbaijan

The settlement of Krasnaya Sloboda (also known as Red Village or Red Town) is indeed unique. Located 165 km northwest of Baku, it is believed to be the world's only population centre made up exclusively of Jewish people outside of Israel and the United States. It is also considered to be the last surviving shtetl.

Krasnaya Sloboda is a village and municipality in the Quba District of Azerbaijan. As of 2010, it had a population of around 3,500, mostly Jews. The village is the principal settlement of Azerbaijan's Caucasus Jewish population, who are known as Mountain Jews. The most widely spoken language in the village is Judeo-Tat, a mixture of Hebrew and Farsi, although residents also speak Russian and Azeri.

The village was founded in 1742 when the Khan of Quba, Huseynali Khan, gave the Jews permission to set up a community free from persecution across the river from the city of Quba. The settlement was originally called Yevreyskaya Sloboda ("Jewish Settlement") but was renamed Krasnaya Sloboda ("Red Settlement") under Soviet rule, in reference to the red tiles used on the buildings.

The creation of the settlement coincided with the end of the prohibition on Jewish land ownership in the area. The Khan of Quba, appreciative of the loyalty, wisdom, and industriousness of the Mountain Jews, allowed them to engage in agriculture, gardening, trade, and crafts. This attracted Jews from other villages and beyond, including Iran, Turkey, and Russia.

The settlement flourished and at its peak was home to around 18,000 people. However, after Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, many residents emigrated to Israel, Europe, and North America, and the population declined.

Today, Krasnaya Sloboda is still home to a thriving Jewish community. There are several working synagogues, and the Star of David is visible everywhere in the settlement. The village is also known for its Jewish cemetery, which sits on a hill overlooking the Caucasus Mountains.

The young population of Krasnaya Sloboda intends to stay in their native land and protect their unique identity. The village has become a state monument, and the Azerbaijan government provides extensive support to help the community thrive. The village's unique culture and heritage attract tourists from around the world.

The village is also called Caucasian Yerushalayim or the Jerusalem of the Caucasus

The distance from Baku to Krasnaya Sloboda, a small village nestled on the Caspian Sea coast in Azerbaijan, is approximately 240 kilometres or 149 miles. This journey can be covered by car in about four hours. However, the village is not just known for its picturesque location and proximity to the capital; it has earned a much more prestigious title—the Jerusalem of the Caucasus.

Krasnaya Sloboda, officially known as Qırmızı Qəsəbə in Azerbaijani, has a unique distinction of being the only all-Jewish town in the world outside of Israel. With a rich history dating back to the 13th century, the village has been a haven for Jewish culture and tradition, earning it the revered nickname "Caucasian Yerushalayim" or "Yerushalayim of the Caucasus". The village's Jewish population traces its roots to the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492. Fleeing religious persecution, a group of Sephardic Jews made their way to the Caucasus region, eventually settling in what is now Krasnaya Sloboda. Over the centuries, the village became a thriving centre of Jewish life, with a strong sense of community and preservation of their unique cultural heritage.

The village's layout and architecture also contribute to its resemblance to Jerusalem. The streets are laid out in a grid pattern, with the main thoroughfare, known as "Yerushalayim Street", running through the centre. Along this street, one can find the town's two synagogues, as well as a Jewish school and a cultural centre, all of which serve as hubs for the community's religious and cultural life. The synagogues, in particular, are renowned for their beautiful architecture and intricate interior design, featuring ornate Torah arks and intricate Judaic motifs.

Furthermore, the Jewish community of Krasnaya Sloboda has played a significant role in shaping the region's history. Over the centuries, they have contributed to the economic development of the area, with many successful businessmen and entrepreneurs hailing from the village. The community has also produced notable scholars, artists, and intellectuals who have left their mark on Azerbaijani culture and society. Despite its small size, Krasnaya Sloboda has had an outsized influence on the Jewish presence in the Caucasus, serving as a beacon of tolerance and cultural preservation in a region that has often been fraught with conflict.

The village is believed to be the world's only population centre exclusively made up of Jewish people outside of Israel and the US

Krasnaya Sloboda, also known as Red Village or Red Town, is a village in the Quba District of Azerbaijan. It is located 165 km northwest of Baku and has a population of around 3,000, mostly Jews.

The village is widely believed to be the world's only population centre exclusively made up of Jewish people outside of Israel and the United States. It is also considered to be the last surviving shtetl. The village is the principal settlement of Azerbaijan's Caucasus Jewish population, and the most widely spoken language there is Judeo-Tat.

The formal creation of Krasnaya Sloboda dates back to the 18th century. In 1742, the Khan of Quba, Huseynali Khan, gave the Jews permission to set up a community free of persecution across the river from the city of Quba. The settlement was originally called Yevreyskaya Sloboda, or "Jewish Settlement", but was renamed Krasnaya Sloboda, or "Red Settlement", under Soviet rule.

The village has two synagogues: the Six Dome Synagogue, built in 1888, and the "Giləki" (Hilaki) synagogue, built in 1896. Residents of the village speak three languages: Judeo-Tat, Russian, and Azeri. While one of the two schools in the village teaches in Azeri or Russian, the other is taught in the local language of Juhuri, a mixture of Hebrew and Farsi.

While the Jewish population of Krasnaya Sloboda once numbered around 18,000, after Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, many residents emigrated to Israel, the United States, Europe, and Russia. This emigration was due in part to the lack of local economic opportunities in the village. Today, the population of Krasnaya Sloboda is estimated to be around 1,000 permanent residents.

The village is home to Mountain Jews, a community that has kept ancient Jewish traditions alive for centuries

The village of Krasnaya Sloboda, also known as the Red Village, is located 165 km northwest of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The village is believed to be the world's only population centre exclusively made up of Jewish people outside of Israel and the United States. It is also considered to be the last surviving shtetl, a word used to describe a small town with a large Jewish population in Eastern Europe.

Krasnaya Sloboda is home to around 3,000 people, mostly Mountain Jews, a community that has preserved ancient Jewish traditions for centuries. The village has two active synagogues and a Yeshiva, a school where children study the Torah, Hebrew, and the customs of the Mountain Jews. The unique architectural style of the village stands out from other provincial Azerbaijani settlements.

The history of the village dates back to the 18th century when the Khan of Quba, Huseynali Khan, granted the Jews permission to establish a community free from persecution across the river from the city of Quba. The settlement, initially called Yevreyskaya Sloboda or "Jewish Settlement", was later renamed Krasnaya Sloboda or "Red Settlement" under Soviet rule.

The Mountain Jews of Krasnaya Sloboda have a rich cultural heritage, with their native language being Juhuri, a mixture of Hebrew and Farsi. They also speak Judeo-Tat, Russian, and Azeri. The village has produced prominent figures such as politicians, poets, playwrights, and successful businessmen.

The Jewish community in Krasnaya Sloboda has endured various challenges throughout history, including Soviet anti-religious policies and economic hardships following the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, they have persevered and continue to keep their traditions alive, cherishing their unique identity within Azerbaijan's diverse and tolerant society.

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