Vertigo Village: Inside One Of Europe's Highest Villages

The tiny village of Khinalug in Quba district, Azerbaijan, is located 2335m above sea level and is regarded as one of the most isolated places on the continent.

Home to less than 1000 people, the closest town to this ancient village is hours away and involves a gruelling journey across bumpy roads.

Photographer Ioanna Sakellaraki, 26, visited the desolate village during her travels through the region.

She said: “It is not the easiest destination given the remoteness and conditions of the road to the village. Views on the way are spectacular.”

The local Azeri people have lived in the area for centuries with some experts dating the village back to ancient times.

A deeply religious community, the inhabitants of Khinalug claim that they’re descendants of Noah whom it’s believed came ashore and settled in the mountains during the biblical flood.

Resembling a village that time forgot, visitors to the area may think that they’ve stepped into a time machine due to the number of ancient built cobblestone houses and the lack of amenities.

Ioanna said: “There are no luxurious amenities in the village. For instance each house has an outdoor toilet formed by digging a deep hole in the ground and in the best cases it was framed by wood. I did not come across any shower facilities in the village. The family I stayed at did not have one.”

One of the main reasons behind the lack of modernisation in the village is due to the fact that it is a nature reserve, thus any construction in the area is forbidden by the government.

Despite the serious lack of amenities in the area, the village boasts a few buildings that help to preserve the history and culture of the locals.

Ioanna said: “There is a museum in the village that opens for visitors upon request. There is also a mosque with a traditional metallic rooftop. There is one small grocery shop in the village but it was closed when I visited. Inhabitants have to buy what they need from the closest village and carry their goods back here.”

In recent years Khinalug has seen a rise in foreign tourists eager to see the isolated village with its ancient buildings built on the side of a mountain.

Investment in the area has brought about the introduction of paved roads, which in turn is giving more people the chance to grab a glimpse of life in one of Europe’s highest settlements.

The intrepid photographer said: “More and more people have visited since the new asphalt road was constructed but staying at the village itself is still a rare destination for tourists.

"I would suppose people would stay in hotels in Quba capital and have a few hours trip just to visit the village, but not stay over for a night.”