Old Gabala Site
Todays Qəbələ was renamed to honour an ancient city of Caucasian Albania mentioned in Pliny the Elder’s Natural History (AD 77). Old Gabala was so comprehensively trashed by the 18th-century invader Nader Shah that even its location was entirely forgotten. Rediscovered in 1959, its
Beşbarmaq Dağ
Atop a super-steep grassy ridge, Beşbarmaq Dağ is a distinctive split crag whose mystical crown of phallic rocks attracts (mostly female) pilgrims. In around 20 minutes they climb a steep partially laddered trail from a ridgetop car park, kissing the stones and sometimes speaking i
Qobustan Petroglyph Reserve
The Unesco-listed Qobustan Petroglyph Reserve protects thousands of stick-figure stone engravings dating back up to 12,000 years. Themes include livestock, wild animals and shamen. They were carved into what were probably caves but over time have crumbled into a craggy chaos of bou
Göygöl
For a surreal slice of transplanted Teutonic history, take a 20-minute, 20q bus ride south of Gəncə to this agreeable small town founded as Helenendorf by German winemakers in the 1830s. Stalin bundled the Germans’ descendants off to permanent exile in Kazakhstan during WWII. Howev
Bazaar
Lənkəran’s sprawling bazaar area is centred on an architecturally drab concrete hangar, but it’s loaded with colourful produce and equally colourful local characters. Remarkably friendly.
Flame Towers
Completed in 2012, this trio of sinuous blue-glass skyscrapers forms contemporary Bakus architectural signature. The three towers range from 28 to 33 storeys – so huge that theyre most impressive seen from a considerable distance, especially at night when they form a vast palate fo
Yarat Contemporary Art Centre
Yarat means create, a spirit thats in ample evidence in this centres many thought-provoking installations that dont shy away from socio-political commentary. Even the cafe is inspired, set around a repurposed metalpress rescued as part of the revamping of this former naval factory
Bulvar
Full of cafes, fountains and fairground rides, the central sweep of seafront park is eternally popular with families, amateur musicians and courting couples. Striking modernist buildings here include the International Muğam Centre , the Baku Business Centre and the four-storey Park
Fountains Square
Endlessly popular with strollers, this leafy piazza forms Central Baku’s natural focus. The fountains for which it is named include one topped by shiny silvered spheres giving fish-eye reflections of the trees and stone facades. Dont miss the beautiful statue-inlayed facade of the
Dadivank Monastery
This overgrown masterpiece has a bell tower, fine khachkars and monastic cells around the main 13th-century Surp Dadi church. Watch out for holes into underground cisterns and chambers as you walk around. The princes of Upper Khachen are buried under the floor of the main church’s
Gandzasar Monastery
Probably the most important structure in Karabakh, the Gandzasar Monastery signifies the millennia-old Armenian presence in Karabakh to locals. Dating from the 5th century, the monastery is centred on the church of Surp Hovhannes Mkrtich (St John the Baptist), which has exceptional
Palace of the Shirvanshahs
This sandstone palace complex was the seat of northeastern Azerbaijan’s ruling dynasty during the Middle Ages. Mostly 15th century in essence, it was painstakingly (over)restored in 2003 with museum items added since, including one or two entertaining audio-visual surprises. Enter
Heydar Әliyev Cultural Centre
Vast and jaw-droppingly original, this Zaha Hadid building is a majestic statement of fluid 21st-century architecture forming abstract waves and peaks that seem to melt together. The real delight is simply pondering and photographing the extraordinary exterior from ever-changing an
Fazıl Labarynth
Over a dozen close-packed grave sites from the 2nd to 7th centuries BC have been excavated but left exactly as they were found with pots, talismen and the bones of sacrificed animals in situ. One can almost feel the evolution of humanity in the space of 70m as you walk through the
Maiden’s Tower
This tapering 29m stone tower is Baku’s foremost historical icon with rooftop views surveying Baku Bay and the Old City. Possibly millennia old, its original date of construction is the subject of much debate, though much of the present structure appears to be 12th century. The Aze
Xan Sarayi
The promenade culminates in a formal garden containing the heavily rebuilt palace of Ehsan Khan, one of Naxçivan’s 18th-century monarchs. It features şəbəkə windows and attractive exterior porches but feels virtually new and lacks the atmosphere of the Şəki’s equivalent.
Doing business & staying in touch while in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan: Doing business & staying in touch
Azerbaijan Weather, Climate and Geography
Azerbaijan Weather, climate and geography
Azerbaijan History, Language and Culture
Azerbaijan History, Language and Culture
Azerbaijan Travel Guide and Travel Information
Azerbaijan Travel Guide
