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| Azerbaijan |
| Nagoorn Karabakh | Ordubad | Sharur | Baku |
| Nakhchivan | Sadarak | Sheki | Culfa |
| Naxcivan | Shahbuz |
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| Baku Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Music theater, Baku Music theater, Baku Wolf The name Baku is believed to mean "Gods city" which it indeed is, as said that the PROPHET ZOROASTR (ZARATHUSTRA), whose father is said to have come from the APSHERON Peninsula, spent 20 years living in a cave which was lighted by a supernatural flame. First mentioned in the 5th century, Baku is believed to have been in existance at least 2,000 years. The Apsheron Peninsula is saturated with oil and natural gas seepaging into the surface. It here that Zoroastism had its origins sometime during the 7th century B.C. The capital of Azerbaijan, Baku is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea and is one of Azerbaijan's largest cities, the capital. The center of Baku is the old town, which is also a fortress. Most of the walls, strengthened after the Russian conquest in 1806, survive. This section is picturesque, with its maze of narrow alleys (1.5m wide) and ancient buildings. Part of a palace, a mosque, and a minaret date from the 11th century. Modern Baku spreads out from the walls, its streets and buildings rising up hills that rim the Bay of Baku. Greater Baku is divided into 11 districts and 48 townships. Among these are townships on islands in the bay and one island built on stilts in the Caspian Sea, 60 miles (100 kilometers) from Baku proper. Baku is a major cultural and educational center, with a university and other institutions of higher education. One of these specializes in the petroleum and chemical industries. The basis of Baku's economy is petroleum and natural gas. BTC ( Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan) pipe line just completed where Azeri's oil is started to flow to Ceyhan port in Turkey, through Georgia. The existence of petroleum has been known since the 8th century. By the 15th century oil for lamps was obtained from surface wells. Commercial exploration began in 1872 by Nobel, and by the beginning of the 20th century the Baku oil field was the largest in the world. Toward the end of the 20th century much of the onshore oil fields had been depleted, and drilling had extended into the offshore Caspian Sea. Baku ranks as one of the largest centers for the production of oil-industry equipment. Other industries are shipbuilding and repair and the manufacture of electrical machinery. Chemicals, cement, textiles, footwear, famous Azeri carpets (called Sumak), and foodstuffs are also produced. Archaeological evidence indicates that Baku was an ancient settlement. Persia controlled the site by the 11th century, though for a time during the 13th and 14th centuries it was captured and possessed by the Mongols. In 1723, Peter-I the Great, czar of Russia, captured Baku, but it was returned to Persia in 1735. Russia recaptured the town in 1806, and in 1920 it became the Azerbaijan capital. Wander through the Old City "ICHERI SHEHER" (insite city, in the city walls) and enjoy its rich history and architectural monuments. The architecture in Baku is a wonderful mix of Oriental and European. Medieval mosques and baths have been preserved, providing a rare glimpse of the rich past. "GIZ GALASY" (the Maiden Tower) is one of the most outstanding historical monuments of Baku and is a symbol of the city. Add all this to the varied cultural life, museums, theatres, operas and concerts and you will appreciate that Baku has much to offer the visitor. Baku is now undergoing its second renaissance. This city with its beautiful gardens and fountains, elegant seaside promenade and cosmopolitan restaurants is rapidly establishing itself as the jewel of the Caucasus. Population (2004 estimate), 3,030,000. Azerie speaks Azerbaijanie language which is very similar to current Turkish. Turks can comminicates with them without any problem. _________Sights Edit This Qiz Qalasi Qiz Qalasi [Add Sight] The Latif Karimov Carpet Museum Edit This Baku's most extensive carpet exhibit is now housed inside what used to be the Lenin Museum. The Museum displays various types of Oriental carpets, such as pile, kilim, etc. Traditional carpet designs from Karabakh comprise one of its best collections. The Karabakh region was known for its prolific Azerbaijani carpet-weavers; however, since the area is occupied by Armenians, all Azerbaijanis have been forced to fled the area. You'll also find beautiful, finely woven carpets from Tabriz of southern Azerbaijan (Iran). type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Maiden's Tower Edit This Qiz Qalasi Qiz Qalasi The Maiden's Tower is recognized as the most dominant architectural symbol of the city of Baku. Located more than a block away from the Caspian, the Tower used to be in the sea. Though the structure appears like a fortress, it is possible to gain entrance on the north side and to make the climb (by foot) around the steep circular stone staircase inside the outer walls. The tower which stands about eight stories high opens on to the roof and provides a spectacular view of the city. The building is believed to have been built in the 12th century or possibly earlier and various more.. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] The Azeri National Costume Museum (Doll Museum) Edit This This is Baku's newest museum, having just opened its doors this year, 1995. Located on the corner of Gorky and Tolstoy Streets, the Museum is housed in a renovated first floor of one of the older residences of Baku. Privately owned, it is the creation of artist, Elmira Abbasly, and the first example of what private entrepreneurship can do for museums. The Costume Museum qualifies as one of the most charming presentations of Azerbaijan's past. Primarily, it features hand-made dolls that reflect the life and times of personalities from the artist's childhood from the old Inner City more.. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] The Old Inner City ("Ichari Shahar") Edit This The oldest section of Baku is surrounded by fortress walls dating back to the ninth century. Inside, you'll find narrow, winding picturesque streets which were intentionally designed to counter the strong winds that blew off the Caspian Sea. As yet, the area is not very commercially oriented-a transformation that is likely to occur once the economy begins to boom. Be sure to visit the Palace of Shirvanshah (13-14th century) and the Caravanserais (the equivalent of hotels in centuries past when camel caravans gathered along ancient trade routes). The two caravanserais of the Old more.. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Taghiyev History Museum Edit This This museum was originally the private residence of one of Baku's most famous and philanthropic oil-millionaires, H. Z. Taghiyev. It's worth a visit simply to see the decorative interior of the mansion type: general World66 rating: [rate it] __________Practical Information Edit This Travel to Baku by Ataland E-tourism Netwoek Ataland tourism company situated in Tehran ready to sistimeate every tipe of Baku tours www.ataland.com info@ataland.com +98 21 886 32 800 +98 912 802 5379 __________Getting Around Edit This There are a plenty of modes of transport to get around Baku. But if you are concerned about comfort ( and safety ), your options may be very limited. Like in most of the former Soviet republics, the public transport system is not well maintained in Azerbaijan as compared to the Western standard. (1) Metro: Baku has a well connected network of underground railways. It is one of the main mode of transport for the locals. Though expats living in Baku hardly ever use it, mainly because of safety concerns. It is the cheapest transport; one way trip to any station cost just AZM 250 ( 5 US Cents ). (2) Buses: A lot of buses and minibuses ply various routes within the city. They are mostly privately owned and very badly maintained. Some foreign tourists, specially occasional backpackers venturing Baku and other parts of Azerbaijan, can be seen occasionally using buses and minibuses. A trip within the city is AZM 1000 ( 25 US Cents ) or less. (3) Trams: There used to be trams once during Soviet and a little in Post Soviet period. After the new major was on the position all the trams were removed from streets. (4) Taxis: You will find a lot of taxis in every corner of the city, waiting for customers. They are run by Taxi Companies as well as by individuals. It is advisable to take the ones run by companies. Company-run taxis are either yellow or white. White ones are mostly small Korean cars while the yellow ones are usually a Turkish brand " Tofas Shahin". As comapared to the old Soviet "Lada", both are comfortable. Most of these company taxis have A/C too; though usually drivers tend to keep it switched off and drive with open windows, even in hot summer days. It is advisable to negotiate the price before getting in a taxi, unless you are ready to pay whatever they demand. However, it may be difficult task if you do not have a basic knowledge of Russian/Azeri as almost none of these drivers speak English. If unable to negotiate a price, it is possible to get out of the taxi at your destination, pay what you think is a fair price (for intra-city travel, 1.5-4 Shervan, or 3-8 dollars, is sufficient) and walk away without negotiating. The driver may protest, but will probably leave you alone. It is advisable to pay AFTER you have gotten out of the cab. (5) Rent-a-Car: Some of the international names like Avis, Hertz etc. are already there. They offer all types of cars. (6) Walking: The best way to get around the centre is by walking. It is pretty safe around Fountain Square, Icheri Sheher ( Inner City), Torgovya Street; even in the evenings. In general, Azerbaijan is a safe place. Having said that, it is advisable to walk with a companion late at night in some parts. __________Getting There Edit This Baku Street Baku Street BakuServices.com Baku has direct flights from/to the following cities: London Heathrow: British Airways London Gatwick: Azerbaijan Airlines Bishkek: British Airways Paris: Azerbaijan Airlines Frankfurt: Lufthansa Ashgabat: Lufthansa Vienna: Austrian Airlines Prague: Czech Airlines Istanbul: Turkish Airlines / Azerbaijan Airlines Ankara: Azerbaijan Airlines Dubai ( U.A.E ): Azerbaijan Airlines Moscow: Aeroflot / Domodedovo Airlines / Azerbaijan Airlines Tblisi: Caucasus Airlines / Azerbaijan Airlines Aktau: Azerbaijan Airlines Urumqi: Azerbaijan Airlines Trabzon: Azerbaijan Airlines Tehran: Azerbaijan Airlines Tel-Aviv: Azerbaijan Airlines Kiev: Azerbaijan Airlines Almaty: Azerbaijan Airlines Tashkent: Azerbaijan Airlines Milan: Azal Airlines __________History Of Baku Edit This City Of Winds: Baku Azerbaijan's capital was founded 1,500 years ago. There are a few theories about the origin of the name, the most widely known being that Baku comes from bad kube, meaning "city of winds". OK!!!! Sprung on the coasts of the silvery Khazar (the Caspian), Baku as one of the holy centers of Zoroastrianism, after the discovery of oil, within a very short historical period changed into a very important commercial city. Its advantageous geographical location and abundance of valuable raw materials as oil, salt, maroon, saffron and others helped its rapid growth. With the development of feudalism a lot of small feuds appeared in the territories near Baku. There were built small but strong family towers - donjons in the center of their lands and they formed together a single system of warning in the case of dangers. Baku still remained as the biggest populated locality on the entire western coast of the Caspian Sea. The earliest description of Baku of that period was made by the native geographer of the Middle Ages Abd or-Rashid al-Bakuvi. In his work written 1403 named "Kitabi Talhis as-Asor, Va'aja'ib al-malik alkahhar" he writes: ".. the city has two extraordinarily fortified strong stone castles. One of them, the biggest, is near the sea, and the waves waste its walls. This is the castle, which the Tartars (Mongols) could not capture. The other castle is higher than the first one. Its top is destroyed by balusters. A special feature of this city is the constant wind which is blowing day and night. Sometimes it is so strong that it is impossible for a man to go against the wind, horses and sheep in winter are often swept into the sea because they can not hold themselves on land. Here are deposits of tar and oil, oil is extracted daily for more than two hundred camel pack-loads. Near them, there is another oil spring, which is ceaselessly pouring out oil day and night, this oil is as white as jasmine oil, its rental estimates thousand dirharns. Near the oil-wells there is hard soil of yellow color, which burns like a candle. People break off pieces of it and take it back to the town for heating their houses and baths". The town, a territory of about 22 ha located on the hills, was surrounded by the city walls. According to a number of archeological, historical, graphical, architectural and other data, we can assume that the most ancient, "assimilated" part of the Baku castle was its coastal part. It is not surprising that the earliest memorials have been preserved in that part. These memorials include the minaret of the mosque Mohammed ibn Abu Bakr, known as "Sinik-gala"(1078) and "Giz Galasi" ("Maiden Tower") the lower part of which was probably built in VI-VII centuries B.C. The highest rise of Baku in the epoch of feudalism was at the time when, as a result of a destructive earthquake in Shirvan the capital of the state was moved from Shemakhi to Baku. Exactly in the following hundred years the planning of the castle starts to take shape. And the Shirvanshahs Palace, unique in beauty and grace, was founded on the highest place in the castle. The Palace includes nine buildings serving various purposes. Virtuosity of its creators, who "knitted" the finest laces of stone ornaments on portals of "Divan-khane" and the family burial-vault of Shirvanshahs, created an organically integral unit for their design and then combined these structures into one indivisible whole, demonstrating the skills and artistic taste of the medieval craftsmen of Azerbaijan With the growth of significance of Baku as a commercial city, the caravan-sarays built around the Maiden Tower, were a kind of medieval hotels, which as a rule, belonged to some merchant guilds of different cities, each bearing the name of its owner. There were merchants living and trading in Baku, they came not only from nearby towns, but also from the farthest towns of the Caucasus, Iran, Central Asia, Russia and other countries. For example, the merchants from Panjab, Hujarat and Rajputana lived in the caravan-saray "Multani". "Butchery" was a place for the concentration of merchants from the Central Asia which was situated near it. As a whole, development of such places is an evidence of a considerable growth of cultural, commercial and political contacts of the state of Shirvan, which also included Baku, with the neighboring and distant countries in XV-XVI centuries. It is enough, as we think, to give just one fact, as a proof of it that in 1572 Baku was visited by the agents of the English trade company, who displayed interest in the Baku oil. F. Decket, a members of that mission informed that ".. there is a strange phenomenon near a city called Baku. There is an extraordinary amount of oil coming out into the surface of the earth and people from distant corners of all Persia come to get In XVII-XVIII centuries, as a result of considerable changes in socle-political and economical life of the country, due to the colonization of the western and southwestern coast of the Caspian Sea, the central part of the Baku castle lost its importance as a place for location of the residence of the Head of the State, and the center, as a place of business and commerce moved from the Shirvanshahs" Palace towards the city's main commercial line, which connected the so-called "Shemakhi Gate" with the coastal part of the city, then changed its direction near the Maiden Tower and went towards the "Salyan Gate". The same line connected two bazaars: the Yukhari (Upper) Bazaar with its rows ofjewelery and other goods, with the Ashagi (Lower) Bazaar with its groceries and workshops of small craftsmen. This street was distinguished not only for its length, it almost enclosed all the Baku castle, but also for its considerable width in comparison with the main streets of cities in the in Middle Ages. This line, in essence, was the main composition of the city, its pivot. Other streets, the minor ones, coming through city blocks from all directions, were considerably narrower. Moreover, they were crooked, sometimes ending in blind-alleys. All these made the castle like a large labyrinth created in the course of many centuries. The Russian traveller I. Berezin, who visited Baku in the middle of the XIX century described the of Baku as follows: "... they are so narrow and entangled, that after a month in Baku I did not know, where a street began and where it ended". Though we do not object against the above-said, still we must note that this chaotic style of building had its advantages in defending the city from invaders, as well as for softening the gusts of the Baku winds. These winds were piercing through everything. The natural and climatic conditions of the Absheron Peninsula played an important role in the formation of the urban structure of Baku in the Middle Ages. The curvilinear planning of streets not only assisted in stopping the gusts of the ice-cold North wind of Baku in winter, but also created coolness in day time, owing to the shadow falling from walls of houses in streets. There were small inner yards spontaneously surrounded by houses in the castle and there grew nothing in these yards except one or two fig or mulberry trees or rose bushes. In the same yards, as a rule, there were water wells there to provide the inhabitants with water through complicated but at the same time a perfect system of "kahrizes" - the medieval underground water supplies, pierced in thick continental rocky soil. For the common use of water there were "ovdans" built in some places of Ichery Sheher. They were semi-underground installations for filling water. It should be added that since the XV century there was a perfect, composed of separate ceramic elements, underground sewer system, connected to all houses located here, in the Baku castle. The majority of houses in the city were one or two - storied with flat floors and plane roofs covered with tar and small cupolas draining the smoke. Silhouettes of these houses, arising like shelves over slopes of the hilly relief of the castle, were interrupted by massive minarets and smooth twists of cupolas of mosques and baths in some places. This combination of different architectural configuration was the most distinguished feature of the feudal Baku. _________Baku Airport Edit This Heydar Aliyev Bina International airport is the busiest in the Caucasus. Thanks to the EBRD and the German Government, it has had recent investment in upgrading navigation aids that have improved safety for air traffic (the airport was the scenario for several accidents, the last serious one with a B707 in 1995). The airport had a lot of construction work in the 1980's, but the collapse of the USSR resulted in the suspension of the works, with the two main terminals being left incomplete. Increased traffic led to a second runway being opened for wide-bodied aircraft in 1995. The current international terminal was opened in 1993 with precarious conditions. In June 1999, after construction work that seemed to eternalize, the renovated passenger facilities were finally inaugurated. The airport is approximately 25 kilometres east from downtown Baku (travel time: approx. 40 minutes), one kilometre off the Baku-Mardakan road. If you are coming from Baku you will see the access road on your left, in front of an open air market. The central building is the domestic and CIS terminal (use the left entrance for Nakhchivan flights). To the left side is located the international terminal, and in front of it, across the often chaotic parking lot, you'll find the airport hotel. Avoid taxis offered by drivers in the customs area, they will cost much more than those just outside the airport building. Choose a licensed car with a TAXI sign. The trip from the airport to the centre of the city costs about 40000 manat (less than 10 Euro). If you don't have a lot of luggage, you have the alternative of taking Bus No. 16 to the city, which costs approximately 2000 manat, the bus-stop is just outside the arrivals zone and leaves you at the AZAL office in Baku (on 28th May st). There are several other buses that stop just in front of the market, if you are willing to walk a few minutes (see the airport map). Hotel Courtesy Cars: Almost all the major hotels will arrange to meet you at the airport for 10-20 Euro and will have a driver holding up a sign with your name on it. Car rental is companies are available on the international arrivals area (north terminal). They provide self drive cars, cars with chauffeur, transfers and also Baku-Tbilisi transfers. The airport code for Baku is "BAK" (this will be of use in the West, with less experienced travel agency staff, who never heard of Azerbaijan.) On arrival, when crossing the border always declare to have some cash with you, since you cannot leave the country with more money than you brought in. If you want to get manats on arrival, there is a cash machine on the international terminal, 1st floor. As usual in off-shore oil areas, you also have a good charter service for helicopters and aeroplanes available at Bina airport (contact Azalaero, tel. 242018 or Azalavia, tel. 243714) When leaving the waiting areas are rather basic, but there is a passable 1st class lounge that just may save your day if you have the right tickets or cards. _________Nightlife and Entertainment Edit This Baku Bay Baku Bay No Idea Baku has a vibrant life regarding theatre, opera and ballet, drawing both from the rich local dramatic portfolio and from the international repertoire. Prices are very reasonable by European standards. Shows are plentiful for all ages and tastes, and companies from neighbouring countries are regular visitors. Today in the theatres you'll find plays both in Azeri and Russian, even so a lot of older residents have a certain nostalgia for the pre-war times, when in this area the cosmopolitan character of city's population was translated in a rainbow of events. Most occasions are informal, but there are some exceptions, so if you want to avoid feeling awkward don't forget to check the dress code in advance for each performance. During the last 8 years, nightlife and entertainment scene in Baku has undergone a dramatic change - mainly because of the oil boom. The ongoing oil exploration has resulted in creation of a large expat community ( mainly British ) who work for different multinational oil companies. A large number of night clubs, bars, pubs and discotheques have sprung up, catering mainly to this expat community. Most of these pubs & bars are located in and around the Fountain Square and are open till very late in the night ( Usually till the last order ). Discotheques are open till the wee hours in the morning; at least at the weekends. |