Baku, Azerbaijan

Baku is located on the Caspian Sea, on the entire Absheron Peninsula, along with the natural and artificial islands surrounding it. Baku is the capital and largest city in Azerbaijan. It has a population of about 2 million people. Baku is an ancient city. Here Europe and Asia merge, so the variety of historical monuments is unusual.

The Old City or Icheri Sheher is a walled fortress. It is located on the Absheron peninsula. Here one can see a collection of unique ancient structures. It is a historical and architectural complex, which includes the magnificent palace ensemble "Shirvan Shah" from the 15th century AD. The Shir Shahvani Palace is a monumental monument of the Shirvan Palace. On the territory of the fortress there is the Maiden Tower, which by its architectural features is the only one in the East.

A cup of tea in the medieval caravanserais is a pleasant experience. To the south of the Old Town are the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of History and Literature. The Academy of Sciences building, which imitates the Contarini Palace in Venice, is interesting.

30 km from Baku is the temple of the fire-worshippers "Ateshgah" In the State Historical and Art Reserve "Gobustan", located 60 km from Baku, one can see unique ancient images on the rocks left by the primitive people.

Baku is a major cultural center. For the first time here, in a Muslim country, a theatre raised its curtain, the first opera was heard, the first national newspaper was published, the first library was opened. Contemporary Baku strives to become a modern city, which combines a wonderful past and present.