• Gosha Gala Tower - The Double Gates of Baku, also known as the Baku Old City Gate, is a historical and cultural landmark situated in the heart of Azerbaijan’s capital city, referred to as Gosha Gala in Azerbaijani. These gates, dating back to the 12th century, have been pivotal in the city’s fortifications throughout history and are well-preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This blog post will delve into the rich history, cultural significance, and current state of the Double Gates.

• Bukhara Caravanserai - Constructed on the commercial highway of the Old City at the end of the 15th century, the caravanserai features a square courtyard with a raised portal, octagonal in shape. Perimeter balconies and private rooms are surrounded by cells. The comfortable eight-sided courtyard served as a special open-air hall where travelers and merchants gathered after their daily trade. The reaching arch, combined with the general style, forms the main part of the architectural composition along the entire perimeter of the flat-framed courtyard.
  The restoration work in 1964 completely freed the caravanserai building from later additions, revealing its large-scale structure against the surrounding buildings. Archaeological excavations uncovered that the water line of the kung pipe, supplying water to Baku, passed under the caravanserai.

• Multani Caravanserai - The Multani Caravanserai, located in Baku, Azerbaijan, was established in the 14th century in the Icherisheher old town, opposite the Bukhara Caravanserai. It was built to accommodate merchants from the medieval city of Multan (now in Punjab, Pakistan) who frequented the region for trade, using this caravanserai as a stop. They included Zoroastrians, who are also believed to have erected the Ateshgah Temple in Surakhani.

• Maiden Tower - The Maiden Tower (Azerbaijani: Qız qalası) is a 12th-century monument in the Old City, Baku, Azerbaijan. Along with the Shirvanshahs’ Palace, dated to the 15th century, it forms a group of historic monuments listed in 2001 under the UNESCO World Heritage List of Historical Monuments as cultural property, Category III. It is one of Azerbaijan’s most distinctive national emblems, featured on Azerbaijani currency notes and official letterheads.
  Some scientific sources suggest that the Maiden Tower is a paramount example of Zoroastrianism and pre-Islamic architecture in Iran and Azerbaijan. Davud A. Akhundov provides archaeological and architectural evidence, arguing that the Tower is a Zoroastrians’ Fire temple-Tower with 7 fire exits on the top. Zoroastrians believed there are 7 Steps or 7 Skies to reach heaven.

• Baku Old City - Bazar square (Azerbaijani: Bazar meydanı) or Khanqah complex (Azerbaijani: Xanəgah kompleksi) is a historic religious-architectural complex with an arcade from the XII-XIII centuries. It is part of the Old City, located on Kichik Gala street, in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was registered as a national architectural monument by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan on August 2, 2001. The complex was discovered during archaeological excavations in 1964 on the northern side of the Maiden Tower.

• St. Bartholomew Church - St. Bartholomew Church was built in 1892 with donations from the local Christian population on the site where the Apostle Bartholomew was believed to have been killed. It is believed that near the Maiden Tower, the apostle Bartholomew was crucified and killed by local pagans in 71 AD.
  The interior of the small chapel-shaped orthodox church was adorned with icons of Bartholomew and other saints. The church was built by architect Johann Edel in the architectural style of Russian churches. It was constructed on the foundations of the first and oldest church in Baku. The church continued to operate until 1936, then it was demolished as part of the campaign against religion.

• Baku Old City - The bath has been underground for many centuries. In 1964, a medieval bath was discovered during archaeological research in this area.
  The bath was built at the end of the 15th century. The customer of the bath was Haji Ghayib, and the architect was Haji Bani. Hence, the bath is called Haji Ghayib or Haji Bani bath. As one of the main elements of Muslim cities, this bath is distinguished by its massive appearance on the caravan route.
  The rich covering system of rooms available in architectural forms gives extremely artistic expressiveness even to the interior of small cells.
  Upon entering the bath, one can feel the expressive architectural forms and full volume plastic style used there.

• Baku Old City - The two-storey caravansary or Gasim bey caravansary is a historical-architectural monument of the 15th century located in Icherisheher. According to some sources, the caravanserai was built in the 15th century during the reign of Shirvanshah I Khalilullah. After the accession of the Baku Khanate to the Russian Empire, the caravanserai was given to Gasim Bey, one of the Baku Beys, and his heirs.

• Baku Old City - Juma Mosque (Azerbaijani: Cümə məscidi, or Friday Mosque), is a mosque in Baku, Azerbaijan.
  An inscription on the mosque mentions that “Amir Sharaf al-Din Mahmud ordered the restoration of this mosque in the month of Rajab 709 A.H. (1309)”. On the northern wall of the mosque, a minaret was erected with a balcony supported by stalactites in the year 1437.
  Located in the historic Icheri Sheher, the mosque has been rebuilt several times. The present Friday Mosque was built in 1899 under the financing of Baku philanthropist merchant Haji Shikhlali Dadashov. There are traces of a Zoroastrian temple at the site.

• Baku Old City - The Small Caravanserai in Baku, Azerbaijan has a square shape and an inner quadrangular courtyard with cut corners. This caravanserai was built in the 12th century. A long balcony surrounds the building of the caravanserai. The north and south entrances of the caravanserai are portal-shaped. During the Middle Ages, there was a main entrance from the sea. The caravanserai has a defensive construction and two floors on the southern side.

• Baku Old City - The Gasim bey Bath, built in the 17th century, is a medieval monument of national importance. Also named Sweet Bath for the sweets served to bathers with their tea, it is located near the Salyan gates of the fortress, Icheri Sheher, Azerbaijan. The bath has a traditional design, with an entrance hall, a cloakroom, baths, swimming pools, and a boiler-house. Cross-shaped domes are in the dressing room and swimming pool. They were located on the sides of rooms with their chambers. Ceramic tubes were located in the walls and under the floor for supplying water and heating. In 1970, the bath was reconstructed and turned into a pharmacy known as the “Green Pharmacy”.

• Aga Mikayil Bath House - The Agha Mikayil Bath was erected in the 18th century in the southwestern part of the fortress, on one of its main streets, Kichik Gala, Old City where locals frequently call this place the neighborhood of bath enthusiasts. It bears the name of Haji Agha Mikayil from Shamakhi, who built it. It differs from other baths in that it has a large interior and the dressing room and the baths are square. The architectural composition of the structure is articulated in pointed arches and domes, divided into proportional layers. The bath has a chimney above the building. In 2010, the bath underwent restoration works and remains a functioning bath.

• Vahid Monument - Aliagha Vahid Monument (Azerbaijani: Əliağa Vahidin heykəli) is a monument in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, in honor of the Azerbaijani poet and ghazal singer Aliagha Vahid (1895–1965). It was built in 1990. A monument to Azerbaijan’s poet and ghazal singer Aliagha Vahid was first proposed in 1989. It was designed and sculpted solely by Rahib Hasanov. The architect was Sanan Salamzade. The creative process that lasted several months was completed in March 1990. The constant, intense endeavors and efforts undertaken by the three artists were artistically and architecturally addressed in the monument. The originality of the monument’s form and shape is based on the famous hemistich of the poet nicknamed “Ghazalkhan (Khan of the ghazals) “I am the successor of great Fuzuli”. The authors saw the tree trunks rising out of the ground as an artistic sign of the continuation by Vahid of the best tradition of Fuzuli.

• Miniature Books - The Baku Museum of Miniature Books is the only museum of miniature books in the world, located in the old part of Baku, called Inner City. The museum began its operation on April 2, 2002. In 2015, the Museum of Miniature Books was presented the Certificate of the Guinness Book of Records as the largest private museum of miniature books. Exhibits in the museum were collected by Zarifa Salahova (the sister of Tahir Salahov) over a period of 30 years. Her collection consists of more than 6500 books from 64 different countries. The museum was opened to public viewing with the hope of promoting childhood literacy.

• Palace of the Shirvanshahs - The Palace of the Shirvanshahs (Azerbaijani: Şirvanşahlar Sarayı, Persian: کاخ شروان‌شاهان) is a 15th-century palace built by the Shirvanshahs and described by UNESCO as “one of the pearls of Azerbaijan’s architecture”. It is located in the Inner City of Baku, Azerbaijan and, together with the Maiden Tower, forms an ensemble of historic monuments inscribed under the UNESCO World Heritage List of Historical Monuments. In the 15th century, the Shirvanshah dynasty, under Ibrahim I of Shirvan, transferred his capital from Shemakha to Baku following a devastating earthquake. He committed himself to the construction of the “palace”.

• Beyler Mosque - The Beyler Mosque is a historical and architectural monument located in the city of Baku, in a historical part of Icherisheher (Old City), opposite the “Murad” Gate of the Shirvanshah Palace Complex. According to the order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan on historical and cultural monuments, the Beyler Mosque has been included in the list of historical and cultural monuments of national importance.

• Workshop Ali Shamsi - Nestled in the heart of Baku’s Old City, the Workshop Ali Shamsi serves not only as an art studio but also as a captivating attraction showcasing the works of Ali Shamsi, a renowned Azerbaijani artist. Born in Azerbaijan and having moved to Baku during his school years, Ali Shamsi’s artistic journey began at a boarding school focused on the arts, culminating in his graduation from the Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts in 1985.

Following his studies, Shamsi spent time living in a monastery near Kharkiv, where he honed his skills in painting icons. Since 1985, he has been an esteemed member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan. His studio, a pivotal part of Baku’s historical district, reflects his eclectic and broad artistic range, encompassing landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and abstract works. These pieces are not only visually stunning but are also imbued with a unique and peculiar charm that Shamsi is known for.

• Quadrangular Tower - In the Middle Ages, the city of Baku was surrounded by two huge fortress walls from the north, east, and west sides. The castle walls were often destroyed during enemy attacks, so they were rebuilt many times. The castle walls were restored for the last time in the 1950s. After the last restoration, 25 semi-circular and one quadrangular tower (“donjon” or “armorary”) remained in the castle walls.

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