Maiden Tower, Baku (must see)
Maiden Tower is a tower in the Old City section of Baku. The 97-foot tower was completed in the 12th century. The tower is one of the most distinctive symbols of Azerbaijan and is featured on national emblems, letterheads and currency.
Archaeological and architectural evidence shows that the tower is an example of pre-Islamic architecture. It is believed that the Maiden Tower once had seven fire exits at its top, which would indicate it to be a Zoroastrian fire temple. Zoroastrianism is the ancient religion of Iran.
The foundation of the tower is much older than the tower itself. The underground foundation and the first three stories were built sometime between the 4th and 6th centuries. This also supports the idea that the tower was a Zoroastrian temple.
It is believed that the construction of the tower in the 12th century. It is also thought that the tower was then used as an astronomical observatory.
Maiden Tower was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Not long after this designation, an earthquake caused damage to the tower. Conservation efforts went into place to ensure the Maiden Tower remained structurally sound. A restoration plan was completed in 2013 in which the damaged sections were restored and plexiglass barriers were added to the observation deck.
Inside Maiden Tower is a museum that shows the history of Baku. Visitors can go to the observation deck to see a view of the city and Baku Bay.
Archaeological and architectural evidence shows that the tower is an example of pre-Islamic architecture. It is believed that the Maiden Tower once had seven fire exits at its top, which would indicate it to be a Zoroastrian fire temple. Zoroastrianism is the ancient religion of Iran.
The foundation of the tower is much older than the tower itself. The underground foundation and the first three stories were built sometime between the 4th and 6th centuries. This also supports the idea that the tower was a Zoroastrian temple.
It is believed that the construction of the tower in the 12th century. It is also thought that the tower was then used as an astronomical observatory.
Maiden Tower was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Not long after this designation, an earthquake caused damage to the tower. Conservation efforts went into place to ensure the Maiden Tower remained structurally sound. A restoration plan was completed in 2013 in which the damaged sections were restored and plexiglass barriers were added to the observation deck.
Inside Maiden Tower is a museum that shows the history of Baku. Visitors can go to the observation deck to see a view of the city and Baku Bay.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Baku. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Maiden Tower on Map
Sight Name: Maiden Tower
Sight Location: Baku, Azerbaijan (See walking tours in Baku)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Baku, Azerbaijan (See walking tours in Baku)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Baku, Azerbaijan
Create Your Own Walk in Baku
Creating your own self-guided walk in Baku is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Baku Old City Walking Tour
Baku's "Ichari Shahar" [pronounced ee-char-EE sha-HAR], which literally means Inner City, is also often referred to by foreigners as the Old City. This unique architectural preserve differs considerably from other ancient places in Azerbaijan and is replete with fascinating architectural monuments. The most prominent of them are the 12th-century, 97-foot Maiden Tower (the most... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Baku's Architectural Jewels
The city of Baku is an architectural marvel that delights with its historic buildings, grand mansions and cultural diversity. The Old City, for example, is full of fantastic old mosques and palaces that are listed as heritage monuments by UNESCO. The city is especially beautiful at night when it is wonderfully illuminated. Follow this self-guided walking tour to see the most impressive... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Baku Introduction Walking Tour
Baku is the capital city of Azerbaijan. It is also the country's largest city with about 25 percent of the nation's population located here.
A city existed on the site of Baku since at least the 5th century ADE. The city at that time was called Bagavan. The first record of its modern name appeared in 938 when it was called Bakuh. The city was a domain of the Arab Caliphate, followed... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
A city existed on the site of Baku since at least the 5th century ADE. The city at that time was called Bagavan. The first record of its modern name appeared in 938 when it was called Bakuh. The city was a domain of the Arab Caliphate, followed... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles