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Albanian Church/Musuem of National Applied Art
A coven of museum ladies beckon unsuspecting tourists into this unusual building, a circular former church. A sign claims it dates from the 7th-century or before; however, it was largely rebuilt in tsarist times and now hosts a very forgettable hotchpotch of handicrafts.
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Rostropovich Museum
For foreign visitors a popular choice is the Rostropovich Museum , given the international fame of the Bakuvian cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich, who lived here as a child. However, it’s of very limited interest to nonspecialists and no English is spoken.
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Karavansaray
Even if you don’t stay here, do peep inside this historic caravanserai whose twin-level arcade of sturdy arches encloses a sizeable central courtyard. Stride through the imposing wooden gateway door and if questioned say you’re heading for the restaurant in the garden behind.
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Carpet Shops
Dotted about the Old City, especially in the lanes around the Maidens Tower, youll find many Ali-Baba-esque shops where carpet sellers happily unroll their wares with the barest minimum of sales pressure. Many sell a range of cheaper trinkets that make more portable souvenirs.
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Worlds Second
A gigantic flag flaps above the Bulvars southern tip, hoisted on a 162m flagpole that was the worlds tallest when erected in September 2010. Just eight months later it was superseded by a competitor in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. You can stroll around but not climb the huge base-mound.
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Ramana Fortress
On a rocky outcrop at Ramana, this fortress tower is one of the Abşerons most dramatic castles, but adding to the interest of the visit is the view of many grungy old oil workings, nodding donkeys and run-off pools that it surveys. Finding the key-holder is hit-and-miss.
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Sinıq Qala Mosque
The (usually closed) little Mohammad Mosque dates from at least 1079. It is generally nicknamed Sinıq Qala meaning Broken Tower, a sobriquet gained when the distinctive local-style minaret was left damaged by a 1723 Russian naval bombardment. It has long since been repaired.
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Cek
The minuscule village of Cek (pronounced Jek) is a handful of farmsteads around a rocky knob that protrudes from a sweep of grassy mountainside. Theres no shop or accommodation infrastructure, but as a viewpoint or as a starting point for hikes, the wide open landscape here is hard
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Çingis Klubu
This polished new centre remembers TV journalist and national hero Çingis Mustafayev who died in 1992 filming the Karabakh War. Photos of his life are complemented by a small but well-chosen gallery of modern Azerbaijani paintings. A basement ethnographic room illustrates typical c
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Fishermans Beach
Lənkərans grey-sand beaches arent a big attraction if you want to swim and many are dotted with debris, but the coastal area around 1km north of the train station is nonetheless a fascinating place to drink tea at one of many simple cafes while watching local fishermen cast their l
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Tazəbəy Hamamı
This 1886 stone-vaulted bathhouse (men only) is merrily overloaded with knick-knacks and kitschy statuettes. The bathing fee includes towel-gown and disposable shorts, but as the bar areas are actually more evocative than the sauna and small modern pool, you might prefer to simply
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Crystal Hall
Its squat and hardly beautiful but at night this diamond-faceted sports and concert venue twinkles mysteriously across the bay in subdued colours. In 2012 it hosted the most lavish Eurovision Song Contest ever held, and what was then the biggest international happening to have been
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Death Star Hotel site
This construction site should eventually be a spherical hotel building, the sun to mirror the Crescent Moon building across the bay. Posted pictures of the design has lead many sci-fi fans to dub the project the Death Star. Plans reputedly include a free-fall experience in the cent
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Heydar Əliyev Mərkəzi
Pop into this refreshingly air-conditioned centre to peruse the photographic exhibition on the life and times of the National Leader. Or simply to cool down when the temperature and humidity make it less appealing to stroll between the fountains and shrubberies of Dosa Park, the ci
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Clock Pylon
Looking somewhere between an electricity pylon and an oil derrick, this digital clock forms a central Bulvar landmark and supposedly once allowed a 1960s form of base-jumping. In the surrounding areas of Bulvar Park, spot the trio of rare baobabs, two ancient olive trees and a sple
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Viewpoints
There are numerous points from which to savour wide panoramas over highland fields and serrated crags. One relatively easy area to find such views can be found by climbing the long stairway behind the central Flag Sq onto the main suburban ridge. For still wider views hike/drive up
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Plane Tree
Just before the village of Karmir Shuka (also known as Krasny Bazar) if youre coming from Stepanakert, follow the signs uphill to the home of a 2000-year-old platan (plane) tree so large you could hold a party inside its core. Locals love to come here for picnics, in the shade of t
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History Museum
A facade like a stylised castle lures visitors to investigate this unusually professional new regional museum. Along with the typical displays of pots, swords and Bronze Age jewelry, theres a fine collection of classic local carpets and a refreshing emphasis on womens role in local
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Old Town Square
Zaqatalas Old Town is centred on a pretty garden-square, above which rise two 30m tall çinar (plane) trees planted in the 1780s. To the south, there are numerous old-style house facades on the upper reaches of Heydar Əliyev pr. Follow a path past the maudlin shell of a drum-towered
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Shushi Fortress
Shushis fortress was built in 1750 by Panah Khan. During the Karabakh War the Azeri army fired Grad missiles from here down onto Stepanakert and its surrounding villages. It was conquered by a stunning night assault up the cliffs on 8 to 9 May 1992, a crucial turning point in the c
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