Since hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012, the unveiling of its recent Shopping Festival and the welcoming of international guests to the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku is emerging from its reputation as a leading Caspian Sea oil and gas exporter to be regarded as a city steeped in cultural heritage and a modern travel destination. Located less than three hours from Doha, what can an intrepid traveller pack into a weekend in this relatively undiscovered destination?
The Maiden Tower
Symbolising the city’s long history, the legendary Maiden Tower is built in a cylindrical form on a great rock, sloping towards the sea in the old city of Baku.
While historians cannot agree on a confirmed date when the Maiden Stone was built, recently researchers have suggest that the tower was built in two sections with the bottom section, reaching to almost 14 metres. Possibly dating back to the 6th century and may have been used as an observatory or a watch tower. The second section was added several centuries later in the 12th century. At just under 30 metres total height, the observatory theory could easily be validated with the spectacular views from the top of the tower. Views that stretch over the neighbouring ancient rooftops, tiny alleyways and minarets of the old city. Today, this Unesco World Heritage monument houses a museum presenting the history and progression of Baku.
While in the area, pay a visit to the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. This 15th century site, another Unesco World Heritage site, is so revered in Azerbaijan the palace is depicted on the past and present-day banknotes. It is located at the highest point of the ancient part of Baku, within the walled city, the palace complex houses many items including the main palace building, burial vaults, a mosque and remnants of a bath house.
This popular area for visitors is also well served by many close-by restaurants serving traditional and international cuisine.
The Old City
No visit to an ancient city would be complete without a walking tour of the Old Town, locally known as “Icharishahar”. Within the old town walls is the historical core of Baku with over 50 historical and architectural monuments. Knowledgeable tour guides bring the city to life with tales of everyday life throughout the ancient empire, sharing the city’s rich legacy of historic mosques, palaces and markets. Get your comfy shoes on and explore!
Heydar Aliyev Center
Devised as part of the redevelopment of Baku, the 57,500 m2 Heydar Aliyev Center’s flowing curved form and distinctive sharp angles, have ensured that since opening in 2012 it has become one of Baku’s signature architectural landmarks.
Designed by the late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid and built over eight floors the centre includes a 1000-seat auditorium, conference centre facilities, workshops, a museum and exhibition spaces. The centre was presented with the Design Museum’s Design of the Year Award 2014 making Dame Zaha Hadid the first woman to win the top prize in the competition’s history.
In addition to the centre’s architectural significance, it has become a hub for local events and entertainment activities. Check out their website and time your visit. This year some key highlights in their entertainment calendar have included: the Azerbaijan Automobile Federation Vintage Car Rally where over 150 cars produced before 1980 were on show; The ‘Dance of the Wind’ International Kite Festival, held for the first time in Baku, featured 10 artists whose painted kites adorned the skies of Baku, also known as the ‘windy city’, and; The Modernism and Fashion exhibition featuring garments and gems of the 1960s.
Baku has one foot in the past and the other is firmly stepping on the gas revving up to the future… now is the time is now to visit Baku.
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