TODAY.AZ / Society

Top things to do in Azerbaijan

24 April 2015 [14:50] - TODAY.AZ

Maiden’s Tower

This tapering 29m stone tower is Baku’s foremost architectural icon. Possibly millennia old, its original date of construction is the subject of much debate, though much of the present structure appears to be 12th century. The Azeri name, Qiz Qalasi, is usually rendered ‘maiden’s tower’ in English, leading to plenty of patently fictitious fairy tales. A popular version has a wealthy ruler falling in love with his own daughter. He asks the girl to marry him. Revolted by the thought of incest but unable to disobey her father she stalls, commanding that he build her a tower high enough to survey the full extent of his domain before she decides. When it’s finally complete she climbs to the roof and throws herself off.

A better translation of Qiz Qalasi would be ‘virgin tower’, alluding to military impenetrability rather than any association with tragic females. It was certainly an incredibly massive structure for its era, with walls 5m thick at the base and an unusual projecting buttress. Today, the eight-storey interior contains some old photographs, a souvenir shop and a costume photography opportunity (AZN10 extra), but the highlight is the rooftop viewpoint surveying Baku Bay and the Old City.


Khan’s Palace

Sheki’s foremost ‘sight’ is the two-storey Khan’s Palace , which was finished in 1762. It’s set in a walled rose garden behind two huge plane trees supposedly planted in 1530. The unique facade is decorated with silvered stalactite vaulting and geometric patterns in dark-blue, turquoise and ochre, magnificently setting off the intricate wood-framed, stained-glass windows known as shebeke .

Mömine Xatun Mausoleum

The impressive Mömine Xatun mausoleum is Naxçivan’s icon and one of Azerbaijan’s best-known landmarks. It’s a glorious, gently leaning 26m brick tower decorated with geometric patterns and Kufic script (a stylised, angular form of Arabic) picked out in turquoise glaze.

Karavansaray

Even if you don’t stay here, do peep inside this historic caravanserai whose twin-level arcade of sturdy arches encloses a sizeable central courtyard. Stride through the imposing wooden gateway door and if questioned say you’re heading for the restaurant in the garden behind, a relaxing place for a 20q cup of tea, perhaps accompanied by a slice of signature sheki halvasi (local paxlava ).


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