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Baku, the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, is a historical, cultural and business center of Western Asia and the Caucasus. The 'Windy City' on the Caspian Sea is a place where new and old, wealth and poverty, modernism and conservatism, East and West blend together.
The area located in the heart of Baku is Icherishehir. This area, which draws attention with its narrow streets, historical buildings and charming atmosphere, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It contains important structures such as the Maiden's Tower and the Shirvanshahs' Palace. The Shirvanshahs' Palace is a palace complex built in the 15th century. It is one of the most beautiful examples of Azerbaijani architecture. It offers a kind of journey into the depths of history as a complex consisting of a palace, a mosque, a mausoleum and a bath. The Maiden's Tower, one of the symbolic structures of Icherishehir, was built in the 12th century. You can watch the panoramic view of Baku by climbing to the top of the fortress.
Representing the modern face of Baku, the Flame Towers add a different atmosphere to the skyline of Baku. These structures, dazzling with their illumination at night, can be seen from almost everywhere in the city.
Heydar Aliyev Center is one of the most striking examples of modern Azerbaijani architecture, designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. It is filled with art galleries, museums and cultural events.
Baku Boulevard, located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, is an ideal place for walking and enjoying the sea. There are also various cafes and restaurants here.
Gobustan National Park is famous for its prehistoric rock paintings. These paintings reveal the life and culture of the region in ancient times. Due to the abundance and quality of the ancient rock carvings and paintings, this area was deemed to be of “outstanding universal value” and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. More than 6,000 ancient paintings dating back 35,000 years have been found in Gobustan, reflecting the culture of the first people living here. Most of the mud volcanoes in the world are also located in Gobustan. These natural formations offer visitors a unique view.
Ateshgah is one of the three temples of the Zoroastrian religion, the world’s first monotheistic religion (the others are in Iran and India). It is about 30 km from the city center. There is a restaurant and dozens of souvenir shops in the courtyard inside. When you enter Ateshgah, you are greeted by an altar with a fire burning in the middle. The rooms around the altar contain brief information about both the history of Zoroastrianism and Ateshgah. This old Zoroastrian temple, located just outside of Baku, is an interesting place for history and religion enthusiasts.
In Baku, especially Nizami Street, known as "Torgovaya", and the narrow streets in the Inner City are places where art and culture are intensely felt. You can find various galleries, antique shops, shops selling handmade goods and murals in these areas. Baku, as a city with a rich cultural heritage, is also one of the important centers of theater and music. The theater and philharmonic halls in the city stand out as important venues that host both local and international artists and groups. The Philharmonic Hall hosts classical music concerts, jazz performances, folk music and other musical events. In addition, concerts of works by leading Azerbaijani composers and world classics are held here. We had the opportunity to attend two wonderful concerts.
Azerbaijani cuisine has a rich cultural heritage and combines the flavors of the East and the West. It is famous for its variety of meat dishes, pastries, spicy soups and desserts. One of the most famous dishes of Azerbaijani cuisine is Shah pilaf. The pilaf, which contains ingredients such as lamb, dried fruits and chestnuts, is covered with a thin dough and baked in the oven. It has a wonderful taste.
Accommodation recommendation: Renassance Boutique Hotel
12 Uzeyir Hacibeyov, Sabayil , AZ1000 Baku, Azerbaijan • 300 meters from metro station (Beach) • Distance to center 0.4 km
