Modern Baku is a city with good amenities and developed infrastructure. Baku harmoniously combines its part and present. Europe and Asia, western and oriental culture merged here. A variety of the historical monuments clearly confirms this fact.
There is the complex of unique ancient structures in the oldest part of the city, "Ichari shahar" fortress ("The Inner City"). Ichari Shahar (pronounced i-char-I sha-HAR) literally means "inner city", the area of Baku defined by the citadel wall that surrounds most of it. Foreigners refer to it as the "Old City", since it's the oldest section of Baku. Many Azerbaijanis believe that the Inner City as well as the Maiden's Tower inside it were built in the 12th century. According to some researchers, however, construction may date back as early as the 7th century. The question has not been completely settled. Even though its streets are neutral - toned with browns, beige, gray and an occasional white, artists invariably depict Ichari Shahar with a vibrant rainbow of colors - as if attempting to capture the excitement of its lively crooks and crannies. Ichari Shahar's character has changed considerably since Azerbaijan's independence. Commercial ventures have started to spring up, and the medieval town has attracted a great deal of foreign investment. Yet there are still relatively few tourist shops or restaurants in its winding streets.
Ichari Shahar, though very small and compact, has many kilometers of winding lanes and alleys, which can best be enjoyed on foot. I like people to understand the various levels in the old city first. There's really quite a significant slope from sea level up to the its highest point up to the inner walls of the Academy of Science Presideum. I start at Gosha Gala Gapisi (Double Tower Gate) and show them various streets until we reach the Shirvanshah Palace. From there we go on to Yeddi Gumbaz (Seven Domes) of the old bathhouse. Up the hill from Mulberry Tree Square is the highest point in Ichari Shahar, guarded by Jebahan Tower, now called Sinig Gala (Broken Tower). When Peter I ruled Russia in the 18th century, military forces entered Baku and attacked the city from two main points - Maiden's Tower on the waterfront and Jebahan Tower at the highest peak. You can still see places on Maiden's Tower where the artillery fired against it. Maiden's Tower withstood the attack, but Jebahan Tower was destroyed. To this day, it is known by the local residents as "Broken Tower."
No tour of Baku's Ichari Shahar (Inner City) would be complete without a stop at the 15th-century Shirvanshah complex. The Shirvanshahs ruled the state of Shirvan in northern Azerbaijan from the 6th to the 16th centuries. Their attention first shifted to Baku in the 12th century, when Shirvanshah Manuchehr III ordered that the city be surrounded with walls. In 1191, after a devastating earthquake destroyed the capital city of Shamakhi, the residence of the Shirvanshahs was moved to Baku, and the foundation of the Shirvanshah complex was laid. This complex, built on the highest point of Ichari Shahar, remains as one of the most striking monuments of medieval Azerbaijani architecture.
The various sections of the Shirvanshah complex were not all created at the same time, and there was not a general plan for the entire complex's construction. Rather, each building was added as the need arose.
Much of the construction was done in the 15th century, during the reign of Khalilullah I and his son Farrukh Yassar in 1435-1442. An Egyptian historian named as-Suyuti described the father in superlative terms: "He was the most honored among rulers, the most pious, worthy and just. He was the last of the great Muslim rulers. He ruled the Shirvan and Shamakhi kingdoms for 50 years. He died in 1465, when he was about 100 years old, but he had good eyes and excellent health." The buildings that belong to the complex include what may have been living quarters, a mosque, the octagonal-shaped Divankhana (Royal Assembly), a tomb for royal family members, the mausoleum of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi (a famous astronomer of the time) and a bathhouse .
All of these buildings except for the living premises and bathhouse are fairly well preserved. The Shirvanshah complex itself is currently under reconstruction. It has 27 rooms on the first floor and 25 on the second.
Like so many other old buildings in Baku, the real function of the Shirvanshah complex is still under investigation. Though commonly described as a palace, some experts question this. The complex simply doesn't have the royal grandeur and huge spaces normally associated with a palace; for instance, there are no grand entrances for receiving guests or huge royal bedrooms. Most of the rooms seem more suitable for small offices or monks' living quarters.
Baku's most prominent landmark is Maiden's tower located along the seafront in downtown Baku. The tower dates back to at least the 12th century. Though various religious purposes have been proposed, it seems obvious, given the geographical complexity of the region and the fact that Azerbaijan has been dominated by foreign rulers for most of its existence, that the Tower's main objective was for defense.There are no elevators inside the Tower but still it's worth the climb to the roof especially on a clear day for a panoramic, fascinating view of the city.
Located at a distance of 30 kilometers from Baku Zoroasrian fire temple "Ateshgah" is especially interesting. The temple site was holy to the Zoroastrian fire-worshippers. It is possible to see unique ancient petroglyphs made by primitive people on the cave walls, rocks and stone blocks in the State historical and artistic reserve, located not far from Baku. There are more than 4000 rock carvings in Gobustan.
Baku is a city of three distinct regions and the best way to soak up the atmosphere and culture of these areas is to walk around them. The old town is surrounded by the reinforced walls of the fortress and is the region with the most interesting sights. The Palace of Shrivans is the former residence of the Shah family and contains the family tomb and palace baths. The affluence of the region is reflected in the architecture, and the wealth of fine art and literature. The Soviet influence is continued in another part of the city, where you will find a number of monuments dedicated to Lenin.
Next point of your tour will be the Ateshgyah. The Ateshgah Temple, also known as the Temple of the Fireworshippers, has been a centre of worship for thousands of years. The Ateshgyah Fire-Worshippers' Temple is located within Greater Baku in the Surakhany district of Baku.
Today the temple is a unique monument of world culture.
Also this day you will visit well preserved ancient castles of Apsheron Peninsula dated XII-XIII AD and located farther out on the Apsheron Peninsula. There are several fine medieval castles - one each at Amirajan and Nardaran and two at Mardakyany - apparently built for defence by the Shirvan shahs in the 14th century. See the drawings on rock left behind the Bronze Age man in Baku. The "Acropolis of Baku" is where archaeologists have found some burial crypts of the Bronze Age man.
Stone Age drawings dated 12000 years ago have been found in Gobustan. It is famous for its textiles and carpets and a visit to the Museum of Carpets & Applied Arts is a must. Nardaran’s carpet factory is a must see.
