City Tour Baku

Capital city Baku situates on the western shore of the Caspian Sea in the southern part of the Absheron peninsula. Firstly, Baku became the capital city in the 13th century, during Shirvanshah’s dynasty. Before that, the capital was the city of Shamakhi, that is 122 km far from Baku. Because of the big earthquake, Shamakhi city was completely destroyed. After this disaster, the king of Shirvanshahs’ decided to transfer the capital of Azerbaijan from Shamakhi to Baku. The location of the city played a great role in the development of the port city Baku.

You will start to explore Baku City from the ancient side to the modern part of the city. Icheri Sheher is the heart of the capital, and we offer you to start the exploration of the capital city from the Old City. You will enter the city from the Double Gates that are also called the Shamakhi Gate because the direction of the gate is towards Shamakhi City. Baku is a cultural, clean, and tidy city from ancient times. Many merchants from the Eastern Countries came here and stayed in the Caravanserais, which are now modern hotels. Still today, there are 4 Caravanserais in Icheri Shahar, Baku. Near the Double Gates, there was the Custom office, and merchants from other countries had to pay a fee. For hygiene purposes in Baku, horses’ feet were specially cleaned with tar, and merchants had to visit the Hamams (Bath) near the Custom before going to the caravanserais and walking inside the city. While walking in the city in Icheri Shahar, you will see the Building of Baku Khans, Chain House, the Sailors House, the Cat Home, etc.

You will visit Multani & Bukhara Caravanserais if suitable, you can enter inside the buildings. Merchants from India & Pakistan stayed at the Multani Caravanserai, and guests from Uzbekistan, Bukhara stayed in the Bukhara Caravanserais in Icheri Shahar, Baku.

You will visit the Maiden Tower, a previous symbol of Baku city. It was built during two periods: before and after the 6th century BC. The first part of the tower was built in the 6th century BC and used as a temple by fire worshipers. The second part was built in the 12th century by Shirvanshah 2nd. In 2001, alongside the Complex of Shirvanshahs’ Palace and Maiden Tower, these were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of Historical Monuments.

Next, visit the Shirvanshahs’ Palace. Inside the complex, you will visit the Main Building of the Palace, Palace Mosque, Divankhana, the Mausoleum of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi, Family Mausoleum, a Portal in the East, Murad Gate, and the Water Reservoir and the remnants of a Bath House. In the 15th century, the capital of the Shirvanshah State was transferred from Shamakhi to Baku by one of the greatest kings of the Shirvanshah State, Ist Ibrahim Xalilullah, because of a devastating earthquake. He committed to constructing the “palace.” The building is believed to be a memorial complex built around the sacred area for worship and the tomb of Seyyid Yahya Bakuvi, a scientist and Sufi Darvish. The Shirvanshahs were patrons of the Helwati Sufi order, and Shirvanshah 1st Khalilullah was buried with his family in the grounds of the palace, in the Family Mausoleum.

The Ismailiyya Palace is a historical, beautiful gothic building. Today, it serves as the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. It is located on Istiklaliyat Street in Baku. The building was constructed for the Muslim Charity Society by the architect Josef Ploska at the expense of the millionaire Musa Naghiyev in commemoration of his deceased son Ismayil, and it is named Ismailiyya after him. The construction took 5 years. Musa Bey, while visiting his son Ismail during his treatment in Switzerland, admired the Gothic style and had a desire to build a similar structure for his son in Baku, and he did it.

Then you will visit Fountain Square and the famous Nizami Street. Nizami Street is a wide pedestrian and shopping street in the city center. The street is named after the famous classical poet of Azerbaijan, Nizami Ganjavi.

You will visit Baku Boulevard, located on the seafront. It is the best peaceful place near the Caspian Sea. You can take a Boat Tour and make a fascinating tour on the Caspian Sea, especially at night. The Boulevard was built in 1909. Near the Boulevard, you can visit the interesting constructions: Deniz Mall, Park Boulevard Mall for shopping after the tour.