Description of the attraction
The old fortress with the Maiden Tower, located on the shores of the Caspian Sea in the old part of the city of Baku, is a historical and architectural museum-reserve. According to historical data, the construction of the fortress began in the XII century. and lasted until the XIX century. The width of the walls of the defensive structure is 3.5 m, and the height reaches 10 m.
Erected on an area inhabited since the Paleolithic era, the ancient fortification has absorbed the features of various cultures. Throughout its existence, the fortress was owned by: Zoroastrians, Arabs, Persians, Shirvans, Turks and Russians. Most of the XII century fortress wall, surrounding the inner city - Icheri-Sheher, has survived to this day. Also, most of the ancient architectural monuments of Old Baku are concentrated here.
The top of the Baku hill was chosen for the construction of the palace. Apsheron limestone was used for its construction. After processing, the limestone acquired a golden ocher hue. The palace had a large octahedral hall covered with a dome. There were also sleeping quarters. The upper level was occupied by Divan Khan, which served as a court. The second level houses the mausoleum of the court scholar Seyid Yahya Bakuvi. It was an octagonal building, the upper part of which resembled a tent. Now this building is called "Dervish Mausoleum". A little lower on the slope was the tomb of the Shirvanshahs, erected at the beginning of the second half of the 15th century.
Throughout its 500-year history, the palace complex was destroyed and rebuilt several times, but despite this, it was able to preserve its original beauty and grandeur. In addition to the palace complex in Icheri-Sheher, you can see the preserved narrow streets with buildings of the X-XIV centuries, the Synyk-Kala minaret of the XI century, as well as the catacombs and the minaret of the Juma mosque of the XIV century.
In the southeast of the Old Town, one of the most striking architectural sights of the fortress - the Maiden Tower, built in the XII century, rises alone. The 28-meter cylindrical tower, erected from gray limestone, has no analogues in the countries of the Caucasus. Since 2000, the ancient fortress, together with the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, are considered UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Description added:
Saleh 10.09.2016
Apparently this information is outdated. Indeed, until now, scientists cannot come to a common opinion on the purpose of the Maiden Tower and its age.
