5. The symbol of Baku, Maiden Tower was included into the
list of World Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in December of
2000. Maiden Tower, erected at the coast of the Caspian Sea
preserved its magnificence till our days. The Tower, which
was included into the fortification system of Baku, was
called “Maiden Tower” for its inaccessibility.
Maiden Tower is a cylindrical shaped tower built at the
coast rock. From the sea side the oblong prop (counter
fort) adjoins the tower. The height of the tower is 31meters
from the north and 28meters from the south. It should be
noted that there are some versions concerning the figure
“28”. The facts that Caspian Sea is below the world sea level
by 28 meters, there are 28 blocks in Icherisheher, the
Fortress walls connect 28 semicircular towers, indicate the
symbolic character of this figure.
6.
7.
8.
9. Complex of Shirvanshahs Palace was the last residence of the rulers of
Shriven State with the history of thousand years. At medieval times
this state was the most powerful state in Azerbaijan. While in the south
of Azerbaijan old and new feudal states replaced each other, in its
north the borders of Shriven state stretched up to Deben, the south of
Daghistan. In the historical literature the history of Shirvanshahs’ state
is divided into four periods: the first Shirvanshahs, Mazyadids,
Kesranids and Derbendis. In the historical literature there is little
information about the first Shirvanshah dynasty. Mazyadids dynasty
was founded by Heysam ibn Khalid in 861. Mazyadids dynasty of
Arabic origin assimilated into local nobility and gradually turned into
Kesranids dynasty being local for its traditions and way of life.
Shirvanshahs Manichohr, Akhsitan, Fariburz were wise and well-
educated rulers from Kesranids dynasty. The last ruler of this dynasty
was Shirvanshah Hushenge ibn Kavus. As he had no heir to the thrown,
after his death in 1382, feudal lords of Shirvan elected his distinct
relative Sheikh Ibrahim as the new Shirvanshah. Sheikh Ibrahim was a
poor, but well-known feudal lord from Sheki
10.
11.
12. Understanding the development of medieval Icherisheher and urban life in
Baku is key to understanding the current economic, material and moral culture
of present day Azerbaijan.
Historical and archeological materials show that Baku, like many other
Azerbaijani cities, emerged as a result of the growth of an economically
advanced and densely populated ancient settlement. Resources such as oil and
salt were a key factor for the growth of Baku from a small settlement into a
thriving city.
In ancient times, Baku was one of the most densely populated cities not only in
the Southern Caucasus but also in the Middle East. The favorable climate,
natural and geographical conditions, abundance of natural resources, and its
location along world trade routes facilitated the economic development of
Baku. The mild climate, fertile soil, and rich water resources were basic factors
for the economic development that started from the beginning of the century.
In the beginning of the Greco-Roman era, geographer Claudius Ptolemy (70-
147AD) mentioned Baku as Baraka or Gaiter among 28 towns in the territory of
Albania in his work “Geography.”
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Baku Boulevard (Azerbaijani: Dənizkənarı Milli Park, also known as
National Park) is a promenade established in 1909[1] which runs
parallel to Baku's seafront. Its history goes back more than 100 years, to
a time when Baku oil barons built their mansions along the Caspian
shore and when the seafront was artificially built up inch by inch.
The park is about 3 km and 750 m in size and located in south coast of
the Caspian Sea. It starts at the National Flag Square and ends at
Freedom Square. According to the Azerbaijan Cabinet of Ministers, the
boulevard's size is expected to reach 26 km, which will cover areas
including Bibiheybət and Bay of Baku by 2015. The project on
expansion of the Baku boulevard aims at creating more comfortable
conditions for the residents of the capital city and the guests to have a
rest and take sports in more comfortable conditions at the Caspian
seashore. Before the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 the boulevard was
extended to the National Flag Square.
18.
19.
20.
21. Sheki is famous for the 18th century Khan's Palace. It was built in 1762 by
Hussein khan who was also well known as a poet under his pen-name Mushtag.
The two-storied building is decorated with magnificent frescos (one 24 m long)
and exquisite stained glass work, known as 'shebeke' (northern part of the
city).
Measuring thirty-two meters by eight and a half meters on the exterior, the
palace is a two-story brick masonry structure elongated on the north-south axis
and covered with a wooden hipped roof with long eaves. The layout of both
floors is identical; three rectangular rooms are placed in a row, separated by
narrow, south-facing iwans that provide access to the rooms.
The summer residence is renowned for the lavish decoration of its exterior and
interior. The façades are covered in tiles with floral and geometrical motives.
The interior walls of the residence are covered with frescoes painted during the
eighteenth century. Many of the frescoes feature flowers in vases, while a series
of paintings on the first floor halls depict hunting and battle scenes. Signatures
on frescoes list the names of artists Ali Kuli, Kurban Kuli and Mizra Jafar from
Shemaha, Usta Gambar from Shusha, and Abbas Kuli, who may also have been
the architect of the summer re
