Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, a Caspian Sea port where a walled medieval Old City, Belle Epoque oil-boom mansions and the glass-and-steel Flame Towers share one crescent-shaped bay. Visitors come for the UNESCO-listed Icheri Sheher, the Heydar Aliyev Center, a seafront boulevard, mud volcanoes and rock art at Gobustan, and a tea-and-plov food culture at very low prices.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Baku.
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1
Early settlement
Archaeology on the Absheron Peninsula shows early settlements; Gobustan engravings predate this by thousands of years.
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2
Siniq Gala minaret
The Siniq Gala minaret is built in the Old City, the oldest surviving structure in Baku.
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3
Maiden Tower
Maiden Tower is constructed within the fortified town.
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4
Baku and the Shirvanshahs
After an earthquake at Shamakhi, the Shirvanshah court begins moving to Baku, which later becomes its capital.
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5
Palace of the Shirvanshahs
The palace complex is built on the Old City hill.
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6
Safavid rule
Baku comes under Safavid control as Persian and Ottoman powers contest the Caucasus.
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7
Russian annexation
The Russian Empire annexes the Baku Khanate.
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8
Oil boom
The Nobel brothers and others develop Baku's oilfields; by 1901 Baku produces about half of the world's oil.
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9
Azerbaijan Democratic Republic
Azerbaijan proclaims the first democratic republic in the Muslim world, with Baku as its capital; the March Days massacres occur earlier that year.
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10
Soviet takeover
The Red Army enters Baku and Azerbaijan becomes a Soviet republic.
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11
Black January
Soviet troops enter Baku on 19-20 January, killing more than 100 civilians.
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12
Independence
Azerbaijan restores independence on 18 October 1991.
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13
Contract of the Century
Azerbaijan signs major oil agreements with foreign companies, reviving Baku's economy.
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14
Eurovision and Heydar Aliyev Center
Baku hosts the Eurovision Song Contest and opens the Heydar Aliyev Center.
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15
Major events
Baku hosts the first European Games (2015) and the Formula 1 European Grand Prix street race (2016), later called the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Historical sites
Places where Baku's past comes alive.
Icheri Sheher (Walled Old City)
Where: Baku
Admission: Free to walk the streets (museums charge separately, roughly AZN 8-15 or $5-9 each)
Maiden Tower (Qiz Qalasi)
Where: Baku
Admission: About AZN 15 (approx $8.80) for the tower and viewing terrace; sources report AZN 8-15, so check the ticket window
Palace of the Shirvanshahs
Where: Baku
Admission: About AZN 10-15 (approx $6-8.80) for the palace complex; check the ticket window for the current fare
Mohammed Mosque and Siniq Gala Minaret
Where: Baku
Admission: Free
Bukhara and Multani Caravanserais
Where: Baku
Admission: Free to enter the courtyards
Gobustan Rock Art Reserve and Museum
Where: Gobustan, about 65 km south-west of Baku
Admission: About AZN 15-25 (approx $9-15) including the museum; audio guide extra
Ateshgah Fire Temple of Baku
Where: Surakhani, about 20 km north-east of Baku
Admission: About AZN 15-25 (approx $9-15); a combined ticket with Yanar Dag has been offered
Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain)
Where: Mehdiabad, Absheron Peninsula, about 25 km north of Baku
Admission: About AZN 10-15 (approx $6-9)
Bibi-Heybat Mosque
Where: Baku
Admission: Free
Martyrs' Lane (Alley of Martyrs)
Where: Baku
Admission: Free
Azerbaijan Carpet Museum
Where: Baku
Admission: About AZN 7 (approx $4.10)
Heydar Aliyev Center
Where: Baku
Admission: About AZN 15 (approx $8.80) for exhibitions; the exterior and gardens are free