Geography Supposedly the city’s name translates to “The City of God”. The reputed birthplace of the Zoroastrian religion, Baku lies on the southern most shore of the Apsheron Peninsula in Azerbaijan. With a population of just over 2 million, it is the largest port city in the Caucuses and of Azerbaijan, where it is also the capital. Baku is situated on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland body of water, just on the rim of the Bay of Baku. Built around the old city and spreading out into its downtown and Soviet era sections, Baku has a magnificent combination of Oriental and European architecture, the result of prior centuries of alternating Persian and Russian control. At 25 km from the centre of the city, Heydar Aliyev International Airport is served by several airlines, and airBaltic is pleased to bring weekly flights to this destination. Languages Salam! (Hello!) The official language of Baku is Azeri, which is similar to Turkish and easy to understand for speakers of that language. Older generations in the city will speak excellent Russian and English may be found generally at hotels and tourist areas and among the younger crowd. Either way, bring along a few phrases in Azeri to get a sense of the local culture. See and Do Baku has a rich history and today, thanks to the wealth of the oil and gas industry, it is a city revelling in a continuing upsurge. In addition to the lively nightlife and fast paced life in its commercial heart, Baku is a staging ground for a city-break full of culture and memorable sights. From the fortress that once protected the Old Town and the stunning Palace of the Shirvan Shahs, where the former rulers once had their residence, to the 1000 year old Maiden’s Tower (whose original purpose remains unclear to this day) overlooking the glassy face of the harbour, Baku boasts a range of architectural delights. To truly feel the culture of Baku, pass by the ancient inns known as caravansaries, where travellers from the distant past spent their nights, then explore the history of carpet artisanship at the Dzhuma Mosque housing the Carpet and Applied Art Museum with its exquisite carpets from across Azeri history. The Azerbaijan State Museum of Art houses a respectable collection of national and foreign work, while the Nicami Museum takes visitors through the nation’s literature.
In the hundred year old New Town, just south of the old city, find several other museums located in pre-revolutionary mansions for an afternoon spent delighting in history. Attend the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, designed by architect N. G. Bayev or get tickets to the State Philharmonic Hall praiseworthy for its excellent acoustics.
Treat yourself like Baku royalty at Hamam Mehellesi, Baku’s oldest public bath offering skin peels and massages, though there are alternate days for men and women. Spend a day at one of several beaches suitable for a day of fun in the sun, or further outside Baku, there is the fire mountain of Yanar Dagh, where plumes of natural gas have erupted for over a millennia.
At night join in the local spirit along pedestrian packed Targova Street and Fountain Square where all of the fun is, and one can find plenty of bars and clubs to pack your city-break with rip-roaring nightlife, Baku style. |
