Baku Soviet Architecture Guided Walking Tour

14 Ratings

Baku

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Explore the vibrant history of Baku City Centre on a guided tour. Discover the intriguing stories and cultural landmarks that shaped the city over the past century.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Fountain Square - Located in downtown Baku, Fountain Square serves as a hub for entertainment and leisure. Historically, this area was the main trading street during the first oil boom in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This is our meeting point and where the tour concludes.
Nizami Street / Tarqovi - Nizami Street is the heart of shopping and entertainment in modern Baku. An 800-meter section of this 3.5 km long street is pedestrian-only, making it one of the busiest areas in the city. It’s a popular spot for people to unwind after work, with numerous restaurants, shops, concert halls, and theaters.
Nasimi Monument - At the intersection of Samad Vurgun and Nizami streets, you’ll find one of Baku’s busiest areas, showcasing impressive Stalinist architecture from the 1950s.
Nizami Cinema - Located on 28 May Street, which commemorates Azerbaijan’s first declaration of independence in 1918, this area features a statue of Qara Qarayev, a renowned classical music composer. Here, we discuss the role of music and literature in the nation-building process for Azerbaijanis.
Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater - We will spend over half an hour exploring the cultural landmarks along Nizami Street, including the Song Theatre, National Library, Opera and Ballet Theatre, and a statue of Nobel Prize winner Lev Landau, highlighting Baku’s rich artistic heritage.
Khagani Street - Historically known as Molokanskaya, this street and park were named after spiritual Christians exiled from Russia to Azerbaijan. It remains a central part of downtown Baku, featuring Khagani (formerly Molokan) Park and the Russian Drama Theatre. Here, we discuss the influence of Russians and the Russian language on Azerbaijani society.
National Museum of History of Azerbaijan - Once the private residence of Haji Zelnalabdin Taghiyev, known as the father of the nation, this museum is notable for its ornate interior and historical significance. We will share Taghiyev’s rags-to-riches story here.
Government House - This iconic Soviet-era landmark is a massive and striking feature of Baku.
Baku Boulevard - Also known as National Park, this promenade was established in 1909 and runs along Baku’s seafront. Its history dates back over a century, to a time when Baku’s oil barons built their mansions along the Caspian shore, with the seafront being gradually extended over the years.

What's Included

Tea and coffee included

What's Not Included

Lunch
Private transportation

Additional Information

Over three hours we will walk into social and cultural formation of Baku City Centre, Fountains Square (then Parapet), Nizami (then Torgovaya), 28 May and Khagani (Xəqani; then Molokanskaya) streets, based on exquisite life stories, urban legends and myths relates to love and hatred, rise and fall, happiness and tragedy, turmoil and tranquility, contrast and harmony from the confluent life of oil barons and everyday people throughout last 100 years of the city.

Location

Karnaval-3

Istiglaliyyat

We meet out front of KFC/Pizza Hut at Fountains Square. The guide carries a red umbrella with a badge.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

5.0

(14 Ratings)

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Kaceyjonah

Sep 13, 2023

Traveler from UAE - Our first day in Baku is memorable we meet Gani our tour guide whom he walk with us and share a very detailed information about the history, culture, architecture and etc. of Baku. Gani is extremely knowledgeable, patience and kind to answers all the questions. He even recommend about places to visit, restaurants to go to, food to try. He is definitely the best :) On 2nd day, by far this is the best trip as we indulge the local food in Khinalug village and we get to experience the beautiful mountains and warm weather. Kudos to Ulkar, our tour guide she is knowledgeable and lovely. We get to meet her family and spend dinner with them, even share our stories about Baku,my country Philippines and where I currently live now. Highly recommended! Definitely we will share this story to my friends and colleagues. Godbless! - Jona Chavez