Leylan is one of the cities in east Azerbaijan province which has been located in Leylan District of Malekan County.
The ancient Leylan city which is suggested as one of the biggest and the most important cities of Azerbaijan after Islam. Due to earthquakes, floods and other natural phenomenon, it has been ruined and today, it is just an abandoned city. The present history of Leylan is very short. In fact many years ago, one of the tribes were inhabited near old city, Leylan, and authorities of country choosed the name of Leylan because of its vicinity to an ancient village called Leylan. In recent years, according to the oldness of the area, many researchers and historians have begun to research in Leylan city. This is a factor to attract population to village, as far as many small numbers of village population departed, some migrants from neighbor villages came into this village. In 1374 SH, according to population statistics which was more than 5000 people, and based on its archaism, Le, as far as many small numbers of village population departed, some migrants from neighbor villages came into this village. In 1374 SH, according to population statistics which was more than 5000 people, and based on its archaism, Leylan village was converted to city. Nowadays, Leylan was faced with many advances, and in fact today’s Leylan is heir of the ancient city.
Shiz City
Summer residency of Khosro Parviz has apparently been around Urmia Lake and on the way of Maraghe and Tabriz and near Leylan. It is said that in its neighborhood, there was an oil spring which has made the Azargoshnasp fire temple bright. In Sasanian age, usually one of the margraves was responsible for Azerbaijan reign. At the end of that era, Azerbaijan era was ruled by dynasty (Farrokh Hormozd) and its capital was named Shiz or Ganazb, and it has been reported according to ruins of Leylan in southeast of Urmia Lake.
In organizing the historic Leylan region of Malekan County and with severe efforts of archeology experts, byzantine coins have been discovered in this area which made of gold and have weights two or three times of gold coins; discovery of such coins makes the guesses about historic Shiz city more sure. These gold coins related to east Rome in Byzantine era and they have two kinds of shapes and very soon they would be available in salon of Azerbaijan coin museum for all public.
Bakhtak or Bakhtak Castle of Leylan city: Bakhtak castle is located at entrance of Leylan city and center part of Leylan, an environs of Malekan County. Its antiquity is from pre-history era to Islamic age and commonly, its relics were seen in Sasanian and Parthian eras. This castle has been recorded in list of national works with registry number 2780 in 1379 (2000).