A book titled “Caucasian Albania, the Lost Kingdom. Research and Discoveries in Azerbaijan and the Eastern Caucasus” has been published in Italy.

According to AZERTAC, the book was written by Augusto Massari, who served as Italy’s ambassador to Azerbaijan from 2017 to 2021. The Italian-language volume provides extensive information about the state of Caucasian Albania. The publication consists of 466 pages and includes 68 illustrative photographs. The main goal of the book is to present historical, archaeological, architectural, and other information about Caucasian Albania to readers in Italy and other European countries.

The book, consisting of an introduction and 13 chapters, covers topics ranging from the relations between Caucasian Albania and the Roman Empire to documented acts of vandalism committed by the occupiers against Muslim graves in Karabakh during the period of occupation.

PhD in History, Associate Professor Natig Alyshov—the head of the Department of Antiquity and Albanian Archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of ANAS—contributed significantly to the development of the book. Together with the ambassador, expeditions were organized to regions such as Ismayilli, Gabala, Oguz, Shaki, Gakh, Zagatala, Balakan, Gadabay, and the Karabakh area. In these regions, the authors visited settlements, archaeological research sites, temples, and architectural monuments related to Albanian Christianity, gathering comprehensive information.

The sections on Shabran, Derbent, Agdash, Nakhchivan, Barda, and the Agdam region present the Albanian heritage, historical facts, and interpretations as a result of the independent research of Ambassador Massari.

In his exploration of historical facts about Caucasian Albania, the author relies on two key episodes: first, the historical conflict between the Roman Empire and Caucasian Albania, and second, the missionary route taken by Apostle Eliseus during the spread of Christianity.

Since the ambassador’s research coincided with the 44-day Patriotic War and extended into 2021, it also encompasses his fieldwork in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur regions, including Shusha, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli, Lachin, Kalbajar, and Agdam.

In Chapter XIII, Augusto Massari presents partially unwritten subchapters on locations he could not personally visit, such as: the grave of Saint Eliseus and the tomb of Albanian King Vachagan III in Aghdara; the tomb of Grigoris, the first leader of the Albanian Church, in the Amaras Monastery in Khojavand; the site of the first Albanian Church council in Aghdam (Shahbulag, Aquyen/Aluyen); and the Gandzasar Monastery in Aghdara, which served as the last seat of the Albanian Catholicosate until 1836. The inclusion of these chapters underscores the importance of the ambassador’s intention to familiarize himself with the Albanian Christian heritage of Karabakh.

It is considered highly appropriate for this work to be translated not only into Azerbaijani but also into English, French, German, and other languages, as it contributes significantly to raising awareness of Azerbaijan and its people on a global scale.

Overall, the book continues the literary and historical tradition established by European travelers such as Olivier Ghiyom Antony, Cornelis de Bruijn, and Alexandre Dumas, who contributed to the study of Azerbaijan. Alongside academic content, the author shares his personal impressions of modern Azerbaijan, including its people, nature, and cuisine—significantly enhancing the readability and appeal of the book for a broad audience.

Caucasian Albania, the Lost Kingdom. Research and Discoveries in Azerbaijan and the Eastern Caucasus is considered the first comprehensive presentation in the 21st century of the history, archaeology, architecture, and material cultural heritage of the state of Caucasian Albania for the international community.

The book is already being actively promoted through Italy’s scientific and diplomatic digital platforms:

1. Hoepli

2. Gazzetta Diplomatica

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