The palace of the Shirvanshahs is a 15th-century complex, built for Ibrahim I of Shirvan.

It includes the Divanhane palace, burial vaults, the shah’s mosque with a minaret, the mausoleum of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi, Murad’s gate, a reservoir, and the bathhouse ruins.

The Palace of the Shirvanshahs is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

The Palace of the Shirvanshahs History

Construction of the palace complex began right after Ibrahim I of Shirvan transformed Baku into the country’s capital in 1411. The two-story palace typifies the Shirvan-Absheron style of architecture in its 50 different dimensions and construction outlines that are connected by three narrow winding staircases.

This can be seen in the lancet portal leading directly from the courtyard to the octahedral, cupola-covered lodging on the second floor, where another octagonal vestibule at the back connects to other parts of the lodging.

The complex was built over a long period of time. The main building of the palace started to be built in 1411 and finished around the 1420s. This is a two-story building located at the highest point of the complex. The Divanhane is a pavilion that consists of an octahedral hall, and it is situated in a small courtyard.

The Divanhame was built in the 1450s. The Shah’s mosque was erected in 1441 while Seyid Yahya Bakuvi’s mausoleum was in the 1450s. In the late 16th century the Eastern portal was built only.

Shirvanshahs Palace was partly destroyed in the 18th century by the Russians but reconstruction work was carried out from then on to restore the complex to its original state. The treasures of the Shirvanshahs palace were transferred to Topkapı Palace in Istanbul.

Visitor Information

The building complex currently houses a museum and can be visited daily between 10 AM and 5 PM. The entrance fee is 2 AZN (∼ 2 Euro / 2,5 USD)

Shirvanshahs’ Palace Location

Shirvanshahs’ Palace Address: Gasr, lane 1, 76, Sabail, Baku, Postal Code: AZ1000. Get help with directions using the map provided below:

Shirvanshahs’ Palace Map

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The Round Tower of Nardaran was built at the beginning of the 14th century, in 1301. Like most of the fortifications in the Absheron peninsula, its purpose was solely defensive.

It is one of the smaller towers in Abseron, measuring less than 13 meters in height.

Visitor Information

Nardaran is situated 26 km from Baku, and it is easily reachable by car or bus from the capital city.

Nardaran is a distinctive place in the whole Azerbaijan being one of the few religious fundamentalist towns.

The tower can be visited freely but of all the Abseran fortifications, it is not the best preserved one.

Nardaran Tower Location

Address: Nardaran, Sabunchu, Baku. Postal code: AZ1097. Get help with directions:

Nardaran Tower Map

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There are two well-known keeps or castles in Mardakan, both with a very important role in the region’s history. The two different-shaped towers are the Mardakan Quadrangular Tower and the Round Tower.

History of the Round Tower of Mardakan

The Mardakan Round Tower is a 13th-century castle situated in Mardakan, situated about 37 km from the capital city of Baku.

The Round Castle of Mardakan was built in the 13th century and its tower acted as a signal house for alerting the population of enemy presence.

Like most of the castles in the Absheron peninsula, the Round Castle and tower did not have inner courtyards and overall it wasn’t designed for long stays. Its purpose was solely defensive and it also served as a signal tower.

The Round Tower of Mardakan is 16 m high and it is situated in the center of a small courtyard of just 25m X 25m. The outer walls protecting the tower are 7 m high.

Round Tower Location

Round Tower Addess: Sharg, Mardakan, Khazar, Baku. Postal Code: AZ1076. Get help with directions:

Round Tower Map

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There are two castles in Mardakan and both have played an important role in Azerbaijan’s history during the 13th and 14th centuries. They are known as Mardakan Towers and they have different tower shapes, one is round and the other one is rectangular.

History of Quadrangular Tower in Mardakan

The Quadrangular Tower is bigger than the Round Tower, being 22 m in height. It was built in the 14th century and it has 5 floors.

Its purpose was defensive, its inner courtyard of 28m X 25 m could not host many people at once. It was mainly used for defending Mardakan on a temporary basis.

Visitor Information
Reaching the rectangular tower in Madrakan is quite easy. When entering Mardakan from the road from Baku it is immediately visible.

Next to the castle, there is a Tuba-Shakha mosque which hosts a permanent exhibition about the castles and fortifications of the Absharan peninsula (where Mardakan is also situated).

Mardakan Quadrangular Tower Location

Quadrangular Tower Address: Mashadi Azizbayov, Mardakan, Khazar, Baku. Postal Code AZ1044. Get help with directions using the map provided below:

Mardakan Quadrangular Tower Map

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Maiden Tower History

The Maiden Tower (Qız Qalası) in the Old City of Baku was built in the 12th century on the Caspian Sea. Since 2000, the Maiden Tower of Baku is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This famous landmark is a national emblem represented on Azeri currency and official documents. A staircase from the north side leads to the roof of the eight-story tower, which may have been used as a lookout.

The architecture of the tower is influenced by Arabic, Ottoman, and Persian architecture. At its maximum capacity, the eight stories of the tower could accommodate up to 200 people.

The name of the Maiden Tower may mean different things. Legend tells of a maiden who jumped to her death from its top, and the tower’s name may also refer to its unconquered state.

Visit Maiden Tower and the Museum

It presently houses a museum and gift shop. At night during the Noruz festival, the brazier on the tower is lit.

Entrance to the tower costs around $2.5 USD and it is open from Mon-Sat between 11:00 AM to 19:00 PM. Once up in the tower, one can have a 360-degree view of the city of Baku.

Maiden Tower Map

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Chirag-Gala or Çiraq Qala (“light” or “lamp”) is the name of a 5th-century castle fortress in the Guba Forest (Quba).

Built by the Sassanid Persians, the mountaintop fortress served as a defense for the khanate (province) of Quba until the 1800s.

The fortress is located at over 1200 altitudes, and this made it an excellent communication tower.

The prevailing system in the castles of the area was to give an alert of an enemy threat by lighting signal fires that could be seen from other towers. A rugged mountain road connects to a footpath leading up to the fortress.

Visiting Chirag Gala

Chirag Gala is located between Devechi and Siyezen regions, but it is not easily accessible by road. Many tourists visiting Chirag Gala do it by foot from the village of Dashlig Yanar near Siyazan (Siyəzən)

Chirag Gala Location

Get directions: Geographic Coordinates:
41° 4′ 49″ N, 48° 56′ 43″ E (41.080278, 48.945278)

Chirag Gala Map

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