Culture of Baku. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Maiden Tower remains the most famous symbol and tourist attraction in Baku. The magnificent tower is located in the eastern part of the ancient Icheri Sheher Castle. The tower is a unique architectural landmark that cannot be found in any other city in the world. Maiden Tower was built on a high rock, and limestone was the main material in for the building. The height of the cylindrical tower is 28 meters, and the thickness of its walls reaches 5 meters. There is quite an interesting fact about the tower – scientists still cannot identify the exact age of the gorgeous construction. The initial purpose of the tower is also not known. Starting from the 12th century, Maiden Tower was a part of the city’s protective facilities.

The Palace of the Shirvanshahs is one more important architectural landmark of Baku. The gorgeous complex is located on a high hill. The first palace appeared on that site yet at the beginning of the 15th century. Murad's Gate is considered the latest building of the complex. The building of the gate ended in 1585. During an excursion in the gorgeous palace complex, tourists will explore winding corridors and then go up to one of the observation decks, from which they will be able to enjoy a fantastic panorama of the city. It is also possible to see the ruins of an ancient bath not far from the gate.

Many landmarks in Baku have religious origin. Palace Mosque is an important excursion destination of the capital. It was built in the 15th century as a part of the Shirvanshahs Palace. Spacious and richly decorated halls, shiny cupolas, and praying areas decorated in full accordance with all traditions make the mosque truly irresistible. It would be a mistake not to mention Towers of Absheron in the list of the most prominent landmarks in Baku. The fabulous towers were built on the peninsula in the period from the 11th to the 13th century. For many years, the complex of towers protected the peninsula from invaders. Towers of Absheron also provided a temporary shelter for feudals. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

When it comes to Baku museums, tourists will find it interesting to attend the National Museum of Azerbaijan Literature, the opening of which took place in 1945. Nowadays, spacious halls of the museum keep a number of interesting collections – old documents, books, and personal items of famous Azerbaijan writers. In 1982, famous House-Museum of Bulbul started working in the city. Virtually right from the opening, it has become very popular with numerous visitors of Baku. The exhibition of the museum is dedicated to science achievements and also has a hall with works of outstanding pedagogics personalities. A part of the museum is dedicated to a collection of photographs and personal items of Bulbul.

Rug weaving has always been one of the most important crafts in the Caucasus. First mentions of it belong to the medieval times. In several cave complexes of the region, archeologists discovered fragments of knotted carpets that date back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Azerbaijan State Carpet Museum, which is also known under the name “State Museum of Azerbaijan Carpet and Applied Art”, is the right place to know more about carpet weaving. The museum exhibits the largest collection of Azerbaijani carpets in the world and features carpets and rugs made in different techniques and from different materials. It also exhibits the collection of the Shusha Museum of History from the city with the same name.

Tourists will like an excursion to Azerbaijan State Museum of History that is also the largest museum in the country. The museum is open in a beautiful mansion that was constructed in the 19th century. Tourists with children might like another museum more. Baku Museum of Miniature Books is a very interesting and unique place that will excite the whole family. The only museum dedicated to miniature books in the world was opened in the capital in 2002 in the Inner City, the old part of Baku. The core collection of the museum was collected by enthusiasts during more than 30 years. Currently, the Museum of Miniature Books exhibits more than 6500 books brought from 64 countries in the world. Rare editions of classy works by internationally famous writers look truly mesmerizing.

Nagorny (Upper) Park is another pleasant place in the capital of Azerbaijan. There is a lot of greenery here, where you can take shade from the scorching sun. In addition to this, since the park is located on a mountain, beautiful views of the sun-drenched Baku which seems so close and yet so distant at the same time, open up from here. The views are simply remarkable. However, the views of the Olympic Stadium are stunning from a bird’s view. It was built in 2015 for the European Games slated for June 2015 and the FIFA World Cup in 2020. In the evening, the stadium is remarkably illuminated, giving a special romance to the city.

It is also worth noting that a large number of interesting sculptural compositions are located within the territory of the capital of Azerbaijan, and it would be a pleasure to locate them. These include monuments to famous personalities, memorials, and entertaining sculptural compositions. An interesting fact worth mentioning is that Baku is one of the places where Zoroastrianism originated – there is even a Temple of fire worshipers here. Nevertheless, besides the monument of Zoroastrianism, the Synagogue of the Ashkenazi Jews and the Russian Orthodox Church of Michael the Archangel, are situated the city. There is as well, the Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral – Baku is such a tolerant city.

There are many beautiful mosques in the city. One of such, the Bibi-Heybat Mosque, was built in the second half of the 13th century. It was however destroyed in 1936, and only in 1999 was it restored. At one time, it was visited by famous personalities, as she was famous outside of Azerbaijan. Heydar Aliyev’s mosque has an impressive size – it is much bigger than the Bibi-Heybat mosque. This mosque was named in honor of the former president of the country and was built in 2014. In the evening, the religious monument is beautifully illuminated in the style of modern buildings. A few words should be said about the historical monument “Ramana Castle”. The fortress was constructed in the 14th century, and beautiful views open up on the fortification from the hill.

By the way, among the modern and futuristic constructions in the city, it is worth mentioning Flaming towers. The best views of the towers can be beheld from the waterfront, especially in the evening when they are beautifully illuminated. The construction of skyscrapers was completed in 2012, with the tallest tower having a height of 182 meters. They are named so (Flame towers) because it seems as if they are forming tongues of flame. Statehood is much held in high esteem in the capital of Azerbaijan, so much so that there is a National Flag Square here. It is true you cannot get here since the state flag is guarded. Nevertheless, you could admire the beautifully waving flag from a distance by all means.