What to See in Azerbaijan
The main attractions and 10 must-see places to visit in Azerbaijan, from Baku to Sheki, passing through the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan, Gobustan and Ganja.
Here is our guide on what to see in Azerbaijan, one of the pearls of the Caucasus, a wonderful portion of the world wedged between Western Europe and Asia, and which has always fascinated for its strong contrasts, ancient knowledge and landscapes of extraordinary beauty .
Azerbaijan is a country that is still unknown and exotic, intriguing and far enough away for it to still be all to be experienced and discovered. A “land of fire” (not only Zoroastrianism, but also because natural gas rich and oil), and magnetic contrasting forces, which will captivate you with its atmosphere of an ancient time and landscapes of a scathing beauty, between contemporary cities, mountains, rivers and boundless valleys. Located on the ancient Silk Road, nestled between Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Iran and overlooking the cobalt waters of the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus and one of the three, together with Armenia and Georgia, which make up Transcaucasian Asia ( Transcaucasia ).
Azerbaijan is a territory of encounters and contaminations, as well as contrasts: a seductive mix that is also reflected in the architecture, between warm Persian colors, Soviet brutalism and futuristic skyscrapers of sumptuous luxury (from the projects of the archistar Zaha Hadid, at the Flame Towers). Marvel at the old city of Baku (Icheri Sheher), the country’s first site to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Boulevard and a walk on the Caspian Sea, among the sparkling lights of a capital in continuous rise; and indulge in the scents of a black tea from Lankaran, to which you have added rose water, while a melancholy mugham , the typical Azerbaijani song, resounds in the air.
If you are planning a trip to Azerbaijan and want to discover the most interesting places to visit in the country, in this article we have collected gems not to be missed. A week is enough for the must sees, but a few more days will give you the opportunity to experience it with intensity and greater transport. The ideal would be to dedicate 3 days to Baku, 1 to Gobustan as a trip out of town, 2 to Sheki and maybe 2 to Ganja. Once your tour is complete you could move to Nakhchivan, thanks to frequent air connections with the capital, and staying in this region for a few days. Below you will find our advice on what to see in Azerbaijan, well aware that the wonders in this area are truly endless.
What to See in Baku and Surroundings
At the top of our guide’s list of what to see in Azerbaijan, the modern and ever-changing city of Baku. Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan , overlooking the Caspian Sea and is the country’s main port. It has the sinuous lines of Islamic art, but also imposing modern skyscrapers that relate in an unprecedented solution of continuity with the historic center and the more peripheral districts. The city is in fact divided into three main areas: the Center, the old Walled City and the part built in Soviet times.
The first written testimony on Baku, a name that in Italian we would translate as ” city where the wind blows”, we find it in a quotation from 885, at the beginning of the Moslem Caliphal dynasty of the Abbasids. In the Middle Ages it was placed under siege by the Persian Shah Isma’il I, then conquered by the Safavid army. In 1723 Baku surrendered again to the invaders, this time at the hands of Tsar Peter the Great. After a series of alternating Tsarist and Persian conquests, in 1813 it officially became part of the Russian possessions with the Treaty of Golestan. Since then, the history of the two countries has intertwined, only to melt with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Shirvanshah Palace and Maiden Tower
In the historic center of Baku, hidden among the houses that twist like a dense medina, you will suddenly come across the Shirvanshah Palace, another of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It was the residence of the sovereigns, currently a complex that includes the palace itself, the Diwankhana courtyard , the Palace of Justice, the burial vault of Shirvanshah, the mosque with its minaret, the hammam and the Sayid Yahya Bakuvi mausoleum. It was built between the 13th and 16th centuries.
This imposing sand-colored aggregate preserves friezes and furnishing treasures, in an exhibition on Islamic art and the many fields in which it is expressed. From the soft weaves of the carpets, to the richly decorated clothes, the elegant calligraphy, colorful shebeke in glass and wood and glazed majolica. The artifacts will give you an insight into the sophistication of Azerbaijani craftsmanship and their devotion to God.
Bibi-Heybat Mosque
L ‘ Azerbaijan is among the countries which grants everyone access to mosques. If I were you I would not miss the opportunity! Baku holds a very special one, in our opinion one of the most beautiful in the world. The Bibi-Heybat mosque was rebuilt in the twentieth century, based on the model of the thirteenth century, destroyed in 1936 by the Bolsheviks. It is located on the side of the road that from Baku runs along the Caspian Sea and behind which dominates a hill intended as a cemetery. Outside it may seem anonymous, but the inside will surprise you. Put your shoes on, if necessary put on one of the supplied veils and go inside.
The room for which the visit to women is allowed is only one, but also the most beautiful and important. Inside it houses the tomb of Ukeyma Khanum, a descendant of Muhammad. The faithful cling to the golden walls of his tomb and walk the perimeter in adoration. Around the emerald green walls create an environment of surreal beauty. These tiles reflect a vibrant light that alternates with elegant Arabic inscriptions and gold inserts. To complete the work, windows made of shebeke that project their thousand colors on the carpets. One of the unmissable attractions of this guide on what to see in Azerbaijan.
Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center
In Baku, ancient and contemporary come together in an extraordinary way and at the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center you will have proof of this. A fluid structure of glass and concrete stands out majestically on a terraced square. Dazzling white stands out against the landscape, which features Soviet legacies and other modern buildings. More than architecture, it looks like an installation, a place to be photographed and to trace its lines with your eyes.
The style is unmistakable, it bears the signature of Zaha Hadid. His work gives Baku a new face and establishes a clear break with the past. A sinuous and now iconic building and unmissable attraction, if you are wondering what to see in Azerbaijan.