Azerbaijan11, The old town of Baku

1. Azerbaijan 11 Old Town of Baku

2. İcheriSheher (Old City or Inner City) the historical core of Baku

3. Fortress Walls The original wall formed a rampart, and was constructed by King Manoucher II (1120-1159). Since then, it has been reconstructed.

4. One of the gates to the Old City

7. Shirvanshahs’ Palace Maiden Tower The buildings located outside the fortress walls were primarily constructed during the Oil Boom-1870 to 1920.

8. The Juma Mosque In the 1900s, the mosque was completely renovated by HajiShikhaliDadashev, a rich merchant and ship owner.

9. Palatial mosque in Baku (Azerbaijani: Sarayməscidi)– is a mosque of the 15th century, which is included in Shirvanshah's palace complex

11. The wall encircles the most ancient part of Baku called "IchariShahar" (Inner City), and preserves the image of a medieval Oriental citadel

12. North Wall of the castle

13. İcheriSheher (Old City or Inner City) is the historical core of Baku.  In December 2000, the Old City of Baku, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower, became the first location in Azerbaijan to be classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

15. Ancient catapult with city wall

16. Seven beauties by Nail Alakbarov

17. Sahil Park Seven beauties by Nail Alakbarov

18. The colourful sculpture by Nail Alakbarov is called Seven Beauties This composition represents a sculptural image of seven armudi glasses standing on top of each other. Armudi is the name of traditional Azerbaijanian glass used for drinking tea, it can be translated as “pear-shaped” since it resembles a pear. On the other hand such shape could be associated with the contour of a female body. Thus the glasses also symbolize seven beauties from a similarly named masterpiece written by NizamiGencevi.

19. Baku originally consists of İçəri Şəhər,what is now called the Old City, though literary means inner city

20. The Old City dates back beyond medieval times and was the only settlement when Azerbaijan was annexed by the Russian Empire begin of the 19th century 

22. Taze Bey, a traditional hamam The hamam was once at the very centre of Baku social life. It was here that the local men would meet, relax and socialise, discussing the business of the day and unwind.

23. Taze Bey, a traditional hamam One day a week would be women only, and competition was fierce between owners to create the most impressive surroundings and attract the most customers for the hard business of ultra-relaxation

24. Taze Bey, a traditional hamam

25. Taze Bey, a traditional hamam

26. The Old City is now UNESCO world heritage and a charming place to stroll and get lost in old times with its 1001 night feeling

27. Maiden's Tower Baku's landmark symbol is believed to date to 12th century.

28. Maiden's Tower The name of the Tower -Maiden's - is explained by numerous legends concerning a determined young lady pursued by a despotic local king (sometimes identified as her father), who reportedly imprisoned her in this Tower.

29. Maiden's Tower According to the legend, rather than becoming his lover, she committed suicide by throwing herself from the Tower into the Caspian Sea

30. Now Maiden Tower works as a museum and has been included to the UNESCO list of monuments since the year of 2000

32. View from the Maiden's Tower Maiden's Tower

34. Maiden's Tower and the Hajinsky Mansion

35. Hajinski ResidenceIn front of the Maiden's Tower towards the sea is the palatial residence of Issa-beyHajinski (1862-1918) who was a famous oil baron, nobleman and public figure during the Oil Boom

36. Hajinski Residencebuilding was constructed in approximately 1912

37. The Hajinsky Mansion is also famously where de Gaulle stayed in 1944 on his circuitous route to Moscow for his summit with Stalin while still leader of the French Resistance, a fact commemorated by a bas relief on the wall of what now houses the Tom 'Gucci' Ford flagship store

38. Maiden's Tower