In the first half of this year, a number of measures were implemented in Azerbaijan regarding the protection, restoration, and digitalization of historical and cultural monuments.
“Elchi” reports that the State Service for the Protection, Development, and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture has presented the “Cultural Heritage Review” covering the period from January to June 2026.
According to the report, monitoring is currently being carried out on 4,377 out of 6,114 historical and cultural monuments under state protection, as well as on more than 1,400 newly discovered objects of historical and cultural significance.
Significant progress has also been made in the digitalization of cultural heritage during the reporting period. Through the Unified Cultural Registry information system, 3,709 immovable cultural heritage objects across the country have been integrated into a unified digital platform.
The enrichment of museum collections has also continued. Currently, the number of exhibits protected in the main funds of museums across the country has reached 1 million 137 thousand 883. During the first six months, 3,893 new exhibits were added to the collections, and the number of museum exhibits entered into the Unified Cultural Registry reached 29,551.
To strengthen the protection of historical and cultural monuments, 200 preventive measures were implemented, 60 appeals were sent to law enforcement agencies, 32 administrative penalty decisions were adopted, and 1 criminal case was initiated regarding the violation of legislation.
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In addition, 183 protection agreements were signed to regulate the protection of monuments, and the protection zones of 98 historical and cultural monuments were approved. Regarding the protection of cultural heritage within infrastructure projects implemented in the liberated territories, 73 opinions were issued, and 98 monuments were entered into the Electronic Cadastre Record Information System of Lands.
During the reporting period, restoration and conservation work was completed on 1 historical and cultural monument, and restoration work continues on 3 monuments. Furthermore, 72 repair and restoration projects were approved.
In the direction of protecting movable cultural heritage, 880 exhibits were restored and conserved, and work on 362 exhibits is ongoing. Within the framework of archaeological research, 24 expeditions were authorized, and 636 artifacts were discovered as a result of excavations.
During the first six months, 3,134 protection certificates for the export of cultural property were issued, and permission was granted for the temporary export of 122 museum items and collections from the country.
A total of 463,965 people visited the museums and reserves operating under the State Service in the first half of this year. Of these, 342,305 visited museums, and 121,660 visited reserves. During this period, 138,718 tickets and excursion services were sold through digital platforms.
Among the reserves, the Gobustan National Historical-Artistic Reserve was the most visited site with 63,906 visitors. It was followed by the Ganja State Historical-Cultural Reserve and the Guba Genocide Memorial Complex.
The report noted that the State Service was awarded five international awards for its activities in the fields of digitalization, innovation, data-driven protection, and public participation during the first half of 2026.