Freedom Square, Baku

Freedom Square (Azadliq Square) is the largest city-center square in Baku. Situated adjacent to Baku Boulevard, the square has undergone several transformations and name changes throughout its history. Initially created in the 1960s and 70s, it was first named after Soviet leaders, including Vladimir Lenin (Lenin Square) and briefly as Stalin Square.

The square's establishment followed the completion of the Government House of Baku in 1952, a significant architectural feat at the time. In 1955, a monument to Lenin, sculpted by D. M. Garyaghdi, was erected, symbolizing the square's importance during the Soviet era. Surrounding the square, notable buildings such as the "Azerbaijan" and "Absheron" hotels were constructed, encapsulating the Soviet architectural style. These buildings were later demolished and replaced by modern structures like the Hilton Baku and the JW Marriott Absheron Baku Hotel, reflecting the changing architectural tastes and economic development in Baku.

The square was renamed Freedom Square in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, signifying a new era of independence and freedom for Azerbaijan. The Lenin monument was removed in the early 1990s as part of a broader movement to shed Soviet legacy symbols.

In 2006, the Azerbaijani government initiated a significant renovation project targeting the Government House and its surrounding areas, including Freedom Square. This project, which continued until 2010, aimed at modernizing the square and adapting it to the needs of a growing, vibrant Baku. Today, Freedom Square stands as a symbol of national pride and a central venue for public gatherings and celebrations in Azerbaijan.