Shirvanshahs Palace, Baku
Shirvanshahs Palace is a 15th-century palace in Baku's Inner City. The palace complex includes the main building, the burial vaults, the shah's mosque, a mausoleum, a gate, a reservoir and the ruins of a bath house and an ancient mosque.
The palace was built under the orders of Shirvan Khalil I in 1435. Inscriptions on his tomb and the mosque minaret show that the palace was completed sometime between 1436 and 1442. It is believed that the construction was based on the designs of the Shirvan-Absheron architectural school.
The palace was once surrounded by a wall with towers. It also once had rooms for court servants. Though none of the walls or service areas remain, remnants of the construction have been uncovered by archaeologists.
Shirvanshahs Palace was declared a museum-preserve in 1964. Restoration work on the palace began in 1992. In 2000, the palace was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with Maiden Tower, the palace was the first area in Azerbaijan to hold the World Heritage Site distinction.
The palace was built under the orders of Shirvan Khalil I in 1435. Inscriptions on his tomb and the mosque minaret show that the palace was completed sometime between 1436 and 1442. It is believed that the construction was based on the designs of the Shirvan-Absheron architectural school.
The palace was once surrounded by a wall with towers. It also once had rooms for court servants. Though none of the walls or service areas remain, remnants of the construction have been uncovered by archaeologists.
Shirvanshahs Palace was declared a museum-preserve in 1964. Restoration work on the palace began in 1992. In 2000, the palace was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with Maiden Tower, the palace was the first area in Azerbaijan to hold the World Heritage Site distinction.
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.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Shirvanshahs Palace on Map
Sight Name: Shirvanshahs Palace
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 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
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