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Shirvanshah Palace Shirvan Dynasty Palace Complex is a jewel in the crown of Azerbaijani architecture. It was erected there in the 15 th century (when Shirvan residence moved from Shemakha to Baku ). The complex comprises the two-storey palace building, the tomb, the mosque, the divankhane, the Mausoleum of Seiid Yakhya Bakuvi, the bath house, the East Portal and Murad's Gate (15 th century). When looking at the Palace Complex from far offshore you will clearly notice that it descends stepwise from Baku Hill top, i.e. the Palace Complex's three main structures occupy three levels. The well-shaped buildings crowned by domes, decorated by unique drawings made in fine and deep carvings, the magnificent masonry – all these together delight the eyes of those who come there in order to admire the Middle Age craftsmen's work.

Tuba-Shakhi Mosque,Baku Tuba-Shakhi Mosque in Mardakjan village was constructed in the 15th century by the order of some Tuba-Shakhi and was named after her. This cult structure has survived in good condition is an example of classical architecture of medieval Azerbaijan. The mosque's walls were made from smooth dressed stone; the rectangular windows are decorated with geometrical patterns of stone lattices. The facade top is decorated with the carved cornice. The portal entrance juts out a little. It looks quite modest as it is not distinguished by decoration. Above the portal there is the indication of the year of its construction (1481-1482). The mosque rooms are connected with one another and the main hall by the curved arched. In the center of the hall stands a low faceted drum with a peaked dome towering above it. Mikhrab is in the southern wall. Tuba-Shakhi Mosque interior expressiveness is achieved by the fine ratio of harmony creating volumes.

Gyz Galasy, Baku Vicinity The most magnificent and mysterious landmark of Baku and in particular "Icheri-sheher" is "Gyz Galasy" - "The Maiden Tower". It has no analogues in entire Orient and is considered an unofficial symbol of Baku. The cylindrically-shaped tower was constructed on a ledge of the rock jutting into the Caspian Sea . It is made from grey limestone and converges to its top. Therefore its walls thickness at the basis is 5 m, and at the top - 4 m. The tower stands 29.5 m tall, its diameter is 16.5 m. Inside Gyz Galasy is divided into 8 tiers. Each of them is covered by a stone dome with a round aperture. The access to the very top is possible by means of winding stone stairs. The wonderful view of entire Baku bay opens from there. There is a 21 m well inside the tower. The water there was pure and fresh. The light got inside the tower through narrow loophole-type windows. The tower's age is still a subject of historical disputes. In classical history the time of its construction is defined by 12th century. So says a Kufi inscription on the outside tower part (at the height of 14 m from the ground): "gubba" (dome) of Massud ibn Davud". But many historians argue this point of view saying that the slab in the brickwork appeared later to fill up a gap in the wall. Having studied the lime mortar and the color of the stones used for the tower construction, the scientists assume that it was erected not earlier than the 1st century (the most ancient building constructed with such mortar was found in Gabala and is dated 1st century AD), but not later than 10th century AD (as the stones used for construction of the tower and Mohammed's mosque are practically identical). And finally the others consider that at exterior comparison of the brickwork it is clearly seen that the lower tier of the structure is much older than the upper one. Thus, the tower was built in 2 stages: the bottom part of the monument (up to 13.7 m ) had been constructed in the 5th-6th centuries, and the upper part was completed in the 12th century. What was the purpose of this tower? It was poorly suitable for defense because of its small area. Narrow window apertures did not serve well for resisting enemy attacks. Most likely originally the tower was constructed as a Zorasatrian temple of fire: in those times people were not buried - their corpses were exposed to predatory birds. But in the 12th century "Gyz Galasy" was one of the most powerful strongholds of Shirvan Dynasty. In the 18th - 19th centuries the Maiden Tower was used as a beacon. "Maiden" means "unsubdued", "impregnable". Local residents' legend runs as follows: “The Shah fell in love with his own daughter and decided to marry her. Terrified by the forthcoming marriage with her father and in attempt to dissuade him, the daughter asked her father to build a tower in hope that during construction her father would change his mind. But the Shah did not change his decision so the girl climbed up the tower and jumped from it into the sea”. According to another legend, the biblical one, it was near "The Maiden Tower" where Saint Bartholomew, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ, was executed. Bartholomew appeared on Baku 's territory in the 1st century AD popularizing Christianity among pagans. However, Bartholomew's doctrine was rejected and he was executed near the walls of "The Maiden Tower". The place of the execution is marked by a small chapel. In Fact it was absolutely real and is clearly visible in the 1890 photo of "The Maiden Tower". Inside the tower there is a museum. Its collection consists of ancient utensils, carpets, amusing installations showing life in the 18th-19th centuries: oil recovery from a well by means of a bucket, a supper in chaikhana, etc. The tower has been repeatedly restored. Presently the big market place and surrounding arcade have been renewed. Since 2000 it has been in the list of UNESCO monuments.
Bayil Castle, Baku This mythically sunken city is surrounded by an aura of secrets, legends and enigmas. Bayil Castle is a kind of "Baku Atlantis" sunk as a result of human imperfection … However, unlike Atlantis the existence of Bayil Castle is unequivocal. In 1232-1235 Shirvanshah Fariburz III in attempts to protect Baku from the sea began construction of a stronghold which later got the name Bayil Castle, also known as Sabayil Castle, Shakhri Saba, Shakhri Nau, "submerged city", "Bayil Stones". The castle shrouded in legends is an outstanding monument of Azerbaijani architecture connected with Alexander the Great, Aristotle and others. Now it is completely under water at about 350 m from the coast. The Bayil Castle was constructed according to the project of architect Zejnaddin ibn Abu Rashid Shirvani. The structure is similar to extended irregular rectangular (180 х40) . The foundation shape was exactly the same as that of the island's coastline. Fortifications of the castle were 1.5-2 m thick with 15 towers 3 of which were round, and 12 - semicircular. During the excavations the foundations of 9 premises were found. The western wall is adjoined with the destroyed platform - the basis of the central tower which was used simultaneously as a watchtower and a beacon. Historians also believe that there was a fire-worshippers' temple. Along the entire upper part of the Bayil Castle there runs a strip of inscriptions in Arabian and Farsi together with the images of human faces and imaginary animals. The overall length of the inscription is about 400 meters. Among the decrypted parts of the inscription are three fragments with the construction date - the year of 632 (1234-1235), and the name of the architect. Further in the text there is the genealogy of Shirvanshahs Mazjadids dynasty done by means of human crowned heads images. The figures of various animals designate the years of this or that Shirvanshah rule. These inscriptions have no analogues in the Middle East; it was rhe first time that pictures of humans and animals were found on a Muslim monument. Unfortunately, the Bayil Castles' upper part is completely destroyed; only the bottom part of the walls and towers has survived. In 1306 as a result of the strongest earthquake which occur in the south of the Caspian Sea and the sea level rise the Bayil Castle sunk under water. From the early 14th century and up to the early 18th century the structure was deluged by the Caspian Sea. In 1723 due to the Caspian Sea level lowering the top of the tower appeared above the water. But today it is completely under water.

Khansarai (The Palace of the Sheki Khans) Sheki has preserved its ancient city-build structure and it is rich in beautiful architectural monuments. Sheki was the main center of silk production in the Caucasus, and in XVIII-XIX centuries, being the capital of Sheki khanate, it developed and turned into the trade, cultural center of Azerbaijan. Old Sheki "-as founded in the southern part of Big Caucasus, relatively in a flat place and was on the main trade way of Neighboring East. But a strong high-flood in 1772 destroyed the city. After the natural disaster the city was transferred in a safe and relatively high place in Nukha. This place was mentioned in Ptolemy's "The Geographical Study". The mountains from three sides surround Sheki, and on its territory Gurjana and Deyirman rivers unite. Its relief and location on the slope of the mountain influenced the structure of the streets and squares. The winding, streets, the narrow by-streets and blind-alleys gave a complicate, but acceptable and also beautiful form to the building plan of Sheki. An ancient part of Sheki "Yukharibash" was declared an architectural reserve in 1968. There was discovered 13 blocks, which were formed according to the medieval city-building principles. In every block there was a mosque, a bath-house and a local square. The highest point of Sheki is Mahammadkhasan Khan stronghold was formed in 1743-1754 years. There are two gates (Ganja and Shirvan), which are surrounded by stronghold walls. The building of Khan's Palace, a round place for praying and other subsidiary buildings are the models of architectural beauty on its territory. The building of Sheki Khans' palace according to its expressive architectural structure, numerous shining walls, which decorate the interior and the riches of graceful wooden works can be considered a rare architectural work. On the Gurjina riverbank, there is a street of mastership and trade center. There are also the biggest caravan sheds (Yukhari and Ashagi Caravan sheds), shops, workshops, Friday Mosque and some patrimonies. The natural landscape, and unusual beauty, enriches the appearance of Sheki, and from an expressive background to its architecture. A lot of verdure and the old street, made of cobblestone, intensify connection between the city and nature. The mosques, the bath-houses, one or two-storied dwelling houses, which were built in XVIII-XIX centuries in Sheki blocks can be considered as an architectural monuments. The decoration of ancient houses of Sheki with bright colours, the ornament of wooden windows and the beautiful fireplaces confirm the medieaval traditions of the natural architecture. The best model of these houses is the house of Sheki Khan (XIX century). One of the interesting monuments of Shek is also a water-supply system.

Sheki Caravansarai (Caravan Palace) Located on the M.F. Akhundov Avenue, Caravan Sarai or Caravan Palace is a historically cherished monument that was built by the Sheki Khans. The Caravan Palace was built as a resting place for the caravans that passed along the Silk Road through Azerbaijan. The site on which Caravan Sarai is built is said to be one of biggest stopovers for caravans in the Caucasus region. The Caravan Sarai has been decorated with traditional stained "Shebke" glass and frescoes and finds its notation among many poems of Ajerbaijan.