Nestled in Azerbaijan's Caucasus Mountains, the Red Village is the world's only all-Jewish town outside Israel, steeped in centuries of history and tradition. Once a thriving community of 18,000, its population dwindled after the Soviet era and mass emigration, leaving around 3,500 mostly elderly residents. The village is rich in memory, with synagogues, schools, and homes bearing the marks of its storied past, including lavish villas built by former residents and abandoned houses left untouched.

Local legend traces the village's founding to a miraculous event in 1734, when a rabbi's prayer book saved him from a Persian soldier's sword, leading to the establishment of the community on the Gudyalchai River. At its height, the Red Village boasted 13 synagogues, two of which remain active today, while others have been repurposed as museums and public buildings. The Gilaki Synagogue, never closed even during Soviet times, and the Six Domes Synagogue are central to religious life, reflecting unique Caucasian Jewish customs.

The village's origins are debated, with some linking its Mountain Jews to ancient Persian exiles, others to the Khazar Empire, whose rulers converted to Judaism centuries ago. The community's resilience is evident in its language, Juhuri, and its ability to preserve identity through adversity. The Red Village stands as a living testament to Jewish endurance, offering a quiet but powerful reminder of a rich heritage that persists amid changing times.