Sights and landmarks in Baku

Sights and landmarks in Baku

1. See

   Alley of Honor

   Azerbaijani: Fəxri Xiyaban, Honorary Alley

   This is a public cemetery and memorial in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Alley includes burials of famed Azerbaijanis and Azerbaijan-affiliated expatriates, including several Presidents, scientists and artists. There are 242 burials in total.

2. See

   Art exhibition

   On a reformed old factory, two free art exhibitions in two adjacent buildings. Free English-speaking guide.

   Free

3. See

   Azerbaijan Carpet Museum

   State Museum of Azerbaijan Carpet and Applied Art

   The museum hosts a wide range of carpets, both old and new. It moved to its current location in 2014 (on the waterfront). The building itself is shaped as a carpet.

   Tue-Fri 10:00-18:00, Sat Sun 10:00-20:00·10 manat

4. See

   Baku Boulevard

   Dənizkənarı Milli Park

   Seaside promenade with museums, parks, cafes, restaurants, and other attractions.

5. See

   Baku TV Tower

   Azerbaijani: Televiziya Qülləsi, Телевышка

   Built in 1996, is a free-standing concrete telecommunications tower. With a height of 310 m, it is the tallest structure in Azerbaijan and the tallest reinforced concrete building in Caucasus. The tower is one of the most prominent hallmarks of Baku. - A rotating restaurant on the 62nd floor (175 m) of Azeri TV Tower was opened in 2008. Friendly staff.

   20 manat

6. See

   Bibi-Heybat Mosque

   Azerbaijani: Bibiheybət məscidi)

   This is a historical mosque built in the 1990s, and is a recreation of the mosque with the same name built in the 13th century by Shirvanshah Farrukhzad II Ibn Ahsitan II, which was completely destroyed by the Bolsheviks in 1936. The Bibi-Heybat Mosque includes the tomb of Ukeyma Khanum (a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad), and today is the spiritual center for the Muslims of the region and one of the major monuments of Islamic architecture in Azerbaijan. It's locally known as "the mosque of Fatima" The old mosque was situated in the southern part of the tomb, while there was a 20 meter high minaret in the west part of the mosque. Later a crypt and two niches were added to the mosque to the south of the minaret. On the niches there were inscriptions containing the name of Fatali Khan, whose tombstone marble slab is now in the Azerbaijan State Museum of History. From 1305 to 1313, Mahmud Ibn Saad built the mosque's minarets. Western women can enter, when wearing a veil.

   Free

7. See

   Flame Towers

   Ismailiyya Bldg, Azerbaijani: Alov Qüllələri

   These are the tallest skyscrapers in Baku, Azerbaijan with a height of 190 m (620 ft). They consist of apartments, a hotel and office blocks. The estimated cost of Flame Towers was around US$350 million. Construction began in 2007, with completion in 2012. The facades of the three Flame Towers are turned into gigantic display screens with the use of more than 10,000 high-power LED luminaires, supplied by the Osram subsidiary Traxon Technologies and Vetas Electric Lighting. Definitely worth seeing from the old town.

8. See

   Former Church of the Saviour

   German: Erlöserkirche, German Kapellhaus, Azeri:Xilaskar Kilsəsi

   Built with a German donation. This was a Lutheran church, opened in 1899. Now it is a concert hall. The Gothic style church features a portal crowned with a decorated pediment. In 1898, a 213-kg gilded cross was raised atop the church. In early 1899 a bell and an organ were installed.

9. See

   Fountain Square

   Fəvvarələr meydanı, Parapet sq

   This is a downtown pedestrian street in the center of Baku lined with shops, hotels and restaurants. It is a public gathering place, especially after business hours and during the weekend. It hosts public festivals, shows and celebrations.

10. See

    Gulustan Palace

    Azerbaijani: Gülüstan sarayı, Gulustan Wedding Palace Complex

    The complex during the Soviet era is the main state convention center of the Azerbaijani government. From here overlooking the city of Baku and Baku Bay. The palace hosts formal events of governmental and non-governmental organizations. It is notable for having hosted such important events as the Contract of the Century and other significant oil and gas contracts, signing of TRACECA project, the wedding of Leyla Aliyeva, the daughter of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, international and state conferences, etc.

11. See

    Hadji Bani (Hajji) mosque

    Hacı Bani məscidi, Мечеть Гаджи Бани

    This was constructed by the architect Hadji Bani in the 16th century.

12. See

    Hajji Gayyib bathhouse

    Баня Гаджи Гаиба

    Built in 15th century. Intake portal of the bathhouse is rectangular-shaped. The bathhouse complex is divided into 3 groups: dressing-room, changing room and a bathing area. The dressing and changing rooms have octagonal halls, surrounded by small rooms. Vaults and domes have various figured outlines and were implemented thoroughly. There is a pool with warm and cold water in the centre of the hall. Floors are covered with stone plates. Heating is provided by ceramic pipes or channels under the floors of the rooms. Warm air, produced by water heating circulates along these channels.

13. See

    Heydar Aliyev Center

    Heydər Əliyev Mərkəzi, Центр Гейдара Алиева

    This is a 64,103 m² building complex designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid and noted for its distinctive architecture and flowing, curved style that eschews sharp angles. The Heydar Aliyev Center represents a fluid form which emerges by the folding of the landscape's natural topography and by the wrapping of individual functions of the Center. All functions of the Center, together with entrances, are represented by folds in a single continuous surface. This fluid form gives an opportunity to connect the various cultural spaces whilst at the same time, providing each element of the Center its own identity and privacy. As it folds inside, the skin erodes away to become an element of the interior landscape of the center. The center houses a conference hall (auditorium), a gallery hall and a museum.

14. See

    Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral / Russian Orthodox Church

    Russian: Кафедральный Собор Святых Жён-Мироносиц; Azeri: Müqəddəs Mürdaşıyan Zənənlər Başkilsəsi

    This Russian Orthodox cathedral was founded in 1909. Hit by a Russian missile in 1990, it was reconstructed and reopened in 2001. It holds a shrine of the apostle St. Bartholomew.

15. See

    International Mugham Center of Azerbaijan

    Beynəlxalq Muğam Mərkəzi, Международный центр мугама

    This is the center of Azerbaijani arts and music dedicated to promote, preserve and popularize the Azerbaijani music genre Mugam. The center covers 7,500 m² and has 3 stories. The design of the building was based on elements and shapes of Tar, an Azerbaijani musical instrument used in performing Mugham. The concert hall has a capacity of 350 people. The center also has a club, restaurant, study halls and record studios.

16. See

    Ismailiyya building

    İsmailiyye palace, Azerbaijani: İsmailiyyə Sarayı

    This is a historical building serves as the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. - The palace was constructed in 1913, for the Muslim Charity Society by Józef Plośko, funded by millionaire Musa Naghiyev in commemoration of his deceased son Ismayil, and was named Ismailiyya after him. The building was constructed in Venetian Gothic style.

17. See

    Jame mosque and minaret remains

    Emir Sharaf-ad-din Mahmud mosque and minaret, Mosque Cum, Джума мечеть, Azerbaijani: Cümə məscidi

    Founded in 1309-10. The mosque was repeatedly reconstructed during its existence. A new Friday Mosque was constructed on the old mosque's site, with the support of the Baku merchant Haji Shikhlali Dadashov, in 1899. A Zoroastrian temple was located on the site of the two mosques. A minaret, constructed in 1437, adjoins Friday Mosque.

18. See

    Madrasah-mosque

    Мечеть-медресе

    The chapel constructed in the 15th century in the yard of Jame mosque

19. See

    Magomayev Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall

    Built in 1912 and inspired by the Monte Carlo Casino. Houses the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra among others.

20. See

    Maiden's Tower

    Giz Qalasi, Девичья башня

    This mysterious and eccentric tower was built somewhere between the 7th and 12th centuries and may have served as a fire beacon, defensive fortification, astronomical observatory, or Zoroastrian temple. The tower, which is Baku's most distinguished landmark, described as the "most majestic and mysterious monument of Baku, the Gyz Galasy", built on a solid rock foundation, demonstrates right on the coast line, a fusion of Arabic, Persian and Ottoman influences. It was constructed alongside a natural oil well. It is a cylindrical eight-story structure that rises to a height of 29.5 m with a base diameter of 16.5 m. The internal space available in the tower is said to be adequate to accommodate 200 people. A long, solid projection to the main tower faces east, which is oriented towards sunrise pointing to the equinoxes, which has led to the conclusion that it was built as an astronomical tower; while the buttress faces east, the door access to the tower faces southeast. Unfortunately, there is no good view from the top, because it is barred by a glass wall, keeping your distance from the edge.

    Daily 10:00-19:00·Foreigners 15 manat, locals 2 manat

21. See

    Martyrs' Lane

    Alley of Martyrs or Şəhidlər Xiyabanı (transliterated to Shehidler Khiyabani)

    Formerly the Kirov Park, it's a cemetery and memorial in Baku, dedicated to those killed by the Soviet Army during Black January and to those killed later in the Nagorno-Karabakh War.

22. See

    Mosque of the Martyrs

    Turkish Mosque, Azerbaijani: Şəhidlər məscidi

    This is a mosque, near the Martyrs' Lane. It was built in the beginning of 1990s with assistance of the Turkish government. The mosque is used as an official residence of the religious attaché of the Turkish embassy. It opened in 2009. The 154th ayah from Al-Baqara chapter of Quran is written on the façade of the mosque in Arabic and Turkish: "Do not say "Dead!" about those, who died for the sake of Allah. No, they are alive! But you do not feel."

23. See

    Muhammad Mosque

    Siniggala Mosque, Мечеть Мухаммада

    This mosque was built in the 11th century in Icheri Sheher, Baku. The mosque is also known as Siniggala, for the name of its minaret – Siniggala (“damaged tower”). The mosque acquired its second name in 1723, when a squadron of the Russian army, consisting of 15 warships and led by Admiral Matyushkin, approached the city and demanded its surrender. Russian warships began to bomb the city after its refusal. One of the shells hit the minaret of Muhammad Mosque and damaged it. But a stormy wind blew the Russian ships further out to sea. Baku's citizens interpreted it as a divine scourge sent to the occupants. From that time till the mid-19th century, the minaret of the mosque wasn't reconstructed and symbolized the persistence and courage of the defenders. - It is the first building in Azerbaijan which is related to Islam and dated for its architectural ligature. - According to Arabic inscription which was saved in front of the doorway of northern wall of the mosque, it was built by ustad-rais Muhammad the son of Abu Bakr in 471 of Hijra (1078/79). It means that the architect was not only a master-ustad, but also a rais-head of artificers' corporation. - A minaret adjoins new mosque, which was constructed on the basis of the older one's plan. The trunk of the minaret is strong and slightly thinning. It is constructed from carefully drafted stone. Coarse and flat stalactites of tabling retain the sherefe – the muezzin's balcony enclosed by stone plates. A ribbed dome completes the trunk of minaret. Narrow, winding stairs are inside the trunk. Ligature with Koranic inscription was traced under the tabling with the archaic Kufi alphabet.

24. See

    National Art Museum of Azerbaijan

    Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Milli İncəsənət Muzeyi

    The museum consists of two adjacent buildings. The museum's collection includes over 15,000 artworks. There are over 3,000 items in 60 rooms on permanent display. Seven of the rooms in the first building feature European art, and ten rooms feature Russian art. European art includes works of Italian, French, Dutch/Flemish, German and Polish painters. - The second edifice built in 1885 houses Eastern art, represented particularly by Persian, Turkish, Chinese and Japanese art. Russian art is encompassed notably by paintings of different painters. There are also restored samples of Russian avant-garde. The museum also holds easel and book miniatures of 17th-19th centuries, lacquered miniatures of 18th-19th centuries and collection of sherbet spoons, made of mulberry wood.

    Tue-Sun 10:00–18:00

25. See

    National Museum of History of Azerbaijan

    Taghiyev History Museum, Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Tarix Muzeyi, Russian: Музей истории Азербайджана

    The museum was built in 1893–1902. The Italian Renaissance-style mansion is immense and occupies an entire city block. There are four floors in some parts of the building. It was designed by Polish architect Józef Gosławski. On the second floor of Taghiyev's residence, side-by-side there are two major ballrooms. One is based on Oriental designs (Mauritanian style) and the other, on Western design. The Oriental Room has enormous plate-glass windows, gilded arches, highly ornamental walls, ceilings and chandeliers. The lines in the Occidental Room are more perpendicular to each other – rectangular. The museum has more than 2,000 exhibits and includes the following departments: Modern history, Ethnography, Ancient and medieval history of Azerbaijan, Scientific excursion, Fund of Numismatics, Art design group.

    Mon-Sat 11:00-18:00, first Mon of every month closed (– cleanup day)·10 manat

26. See

    Nizami (Torgovaya) St

    Azerbaijani: Nizami küçəsi

    This is a large pedestrian and shopping street in downtown Baku, named after the famed classical poet Nizami Ganjavi. Nizami Street is home to various outlets, from banks to fashion stores and is one of the most expensive streets in the world. The street also accommodates the embassies. - Buildings are mostly from the late 19th-early 20th century, 1950s-1970s and a modern period. Most of the buildings, constructed in the first level, were constructed in neo-renaissance, neo-gothic, baroque and neoclassical styles. Neo-Moorish style is also present, in which architects attempted to use elements of national architecture in its construction. Houses are dressed with limestone – aglay. - Famous houses: No.20 The building of Caspian—Black Sea Oil and Trade Society (built in 1898-1899); No.30 The building of Central Universal Magazine. - No.34 Nargiz shopping center - No.38 Central Library - No.38 St. Gregory the Illuminator's Church (built in 1869), - No.48 Musa Naghiyev's house, built in 1911 - No. 50 Neoclassical apartments of Tagiyev brothers, built in 1912 - No.58 Residential house, constructed by architect I.V.Edel, in 1902. - No.64 Lev Landau house, built in 1911 - No.66 Oilmen's House built in 1956 by Mikayil Huseynov - No.67 ISR Plaza office center - No.69 International Bank of Azerbaijan - No.72 Azerbaijan State Theater of Young Spectators, built 1965 - No.74 National Library of Azerbaijan, opened in 1923 - No.75 Haji Rajabli House, built in 1896 - No.76 Azerbaijan State Song Theater named after Rashid Behbudov. - No.79 Murtuza Mukhtarov House, built in 1896 - No.85 Nasimi Park - No.87 State Committee on Capital Issues - No.90 Former mill - No.93 Musa Naghiyev house, built in 1911 - No.95 Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, built in 1911 - No.96 Office center "Landmark" - No.103 residential house, built in 1952 - No.115 Russian Imperial Technical Society, erected in 1899 - No.117 Azerbaijan State Oil Academy

27. See

    Oil Pump Fields

    The famous oil pump fields from the opening scene of the James Bond picture The World is Not Enough.

28. See

    Oil Rocks

    Neft Daşları began operations in 1949, thus becoming the first offshore oil platform in the world. Later, using the intentionally sunk ships as its foundation, an artificial archipelago has grown around it, interconnected by an extensive network of bridges and supporting a full-sized town inhabited by about 2,000 people. It's possible to visit the oil rock complex, but you should get a permit from the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan.

29. See

    Palace of Happiness

    Azerbaijani: Səadət Sarayı, Palace of Marriage former Mukhtarov Palace

    This is a historic building in the center of Baku, Azerbaijan, built in Neo-Gothic style in 1912. The building was built by an Azerbaijani Oil Baron Murtuza Mukhtarov for his wife Lisa. The designer was the Polish architect Józef Plośko. After Sovietization in 1920 the building was given to the Club of Liberated Turkic Women, after which it functioned as the Shirvanshahs' Museum. During the existence of Azerbaijan SSR, the palace functioned as the Palace of Marriage Registrations. On 2 August 2001, by a resolution issued by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan, the building was listed as real estate of historic and state importance and was to be protected as a monument of Azerbaijani culture. The street lying on the right side of the building is named Murtuza Mukhtarov.

30. See

    Philharmonic Fountain Park

    A charming park with fountains and kiosks you can pass through when going to the boulevard from the Metro.

31. See

    Saray Mosque

    Palatial mosque, Shahs-khans mosque, Azerbaijani: Saray məscidi, Russian: Дворцовая мечеть

    Plan of the mosque is rectangular. There is a small hall, small prayer room for women and serving rooms. The northern portal, rotated to a burial vault of Shirvanshahs is more solemn than the eastern one. The latter, which was coming down to underground exit, was intended for habitants of the palace. - Interior. Two-tier windowed prayer room is covered with cupola with spherical sails. Mihrab is located in the southern end of the palace. Cupola area over one a tier women's prayer room ceding to cupola of the hall with its dimensions and replacing its outlines. Aperture of the mosque's portal is clearly described on the severe background of prismatic volume, ended with two cupolas with slightly sharpening calottes. - Minaret. Trunk of the minaret is surrounded by an inscription, a ligature of which has a date of 845 (1441/42). Details of sherefe's stalactites are subtly modeled.

32. See

    Stone Museum

    An old factory transformed into a stone exhibition, with samples and replicas from Gobustan and other stone carvings in the region. Free English-speaking guide.

    Free

33. See

    Taza Pir Mosque

    Tazapir, Teze Pir, Teze-Pir, Tezepir

    This is a mosque with two minarets. Its construction began in 1905 and was finished by 1914. The idea for the mosque as well as its financing was provided by an Azeri philanthropist, a female, Nabat Khanum Ashurbeyov (Ashurbeyli) - Architecture. The interior of the mosque has an area of 1,400 m² and is decorated with ornaments of painting schools of Azerbaijan and with samples from eastern ornaments. The height of the dome and a half meters. The mihrab and dome of the mosque are made of marble, while decorative elements of the mosque, the tops of minarets and labels are made of gold. - The dome, on which 6 times written La ilaha ilallah from the Muslim proclamation of faith or Shahada, made from Qızılqaya (Gyzylgaya) stone.

34. See

    The Palace of the Shirvan Shahs

    Shirvanshahs' Palace; Azerbaijani: Şirvanşahlar sarayı, Russian: Дворец Ширваншахов

    The medieval palace of the Shirvan Shahs is the highlight of the Old City and a must see for any tourist in Baku. The complex contains the main building of the palace, Divanhane, the burial-vaults, the shah's mosque with a minaret, Seyid Yahya Bakuvi's mausoleum, a portal in the east - Murad's gate, a reservoir and the remnants of the bath-house. The main building of the complex was started in 1411 by Shirvanshah Sheykh Ibrahim I. The two-storey building of the palace numbers about 50 different dimensions and outlines of the constructions connected with 3 narrow winding staircases.

    Daily: Apr-Oct 10:00-19:00, Nov-Mar 10:00-18:00·Foreigners 10 manat, locals 2 manat, 2 manat to take photos

35. See

    Agha Mikayil bathhouse

    Hacı Ağa Mikayıl Hamami, Баня Ага-Микаила

    Kichik Gala street 16?

36. See

    Baba Kukhy Baku mosque

    Мечеть Баба Кухи Бакуви

37. See

    Bazaar Square

    Базарная площадь

38. See

    Beyler Mosque

    Мечеть Бейлер

39. See

    Bukhara Caravanserai

    Бухарский караван-сарай

    in late 15th century

40. See

    Cell-madrasa

    Келья-медресе

Browse all 135 places in Baku

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Baku (CC BY-SA 4.0).