TOURISM IN AZERBAIJAN
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Azerbaijan
Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah’s Palace and Maiden Tower
The Walled City of Baku, located on the coast of the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan, is a historic urban ensemble encompassing the ancient heart of Baku, the capital city. This remarkable site, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List at the 24th session of the World Heritage Committee held in 2000, in Cairns, Australia, comprises the iconic Shirvanshah’s Palace and the enigmatic Maiden Tower.
The Shirvanshah’s Palace, dating back to the 15th century, stands as a testament to Azerbaijan’s rich architectural heritage. Its intricate design reflects the cultural influences prevalent in the region during that era. Standing tall within the walled city is the enigmatic Maiden Tower, a cylindrical structure shrouded in mystery and legend. Dated back to the 7th – 6th centuries BC, the tower’s purpose remains debated, with theories ranging from astronomical observatory to defensive fortification. Its unique architecture and imposing presence have made it an enduring symbol of Baku and a focal point for both locals and visitors.
The Walled City of Baku stands as a unique and exceptional demonstration of historical urban planning and architectural styles. Both the city itself and its surrounding buffer zone are inventoried and protected as National Monuments. In 2007, the Administration of the State Historical-Architectural Reserve “Icherisheher”, was officially entrusted with complete management authority over the site.
Together, the Walled City of Baku, Shirvanshah’s Palace, and Maiden Tower offer a captivating glimpse into Azerbaijan’s rich cultural and architectural heritage. Their inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List underscores their significance not only to the history of Azerbaijan but also to the broader narrative of human civilization.
Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape
The Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, situated in Azerbaijan, is a captivating testament to the ancient human presence in the region and was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List at the 31st Session of the World Heritage Committee held in 2007 in Christchurch, New Zealand.
This expansive site covers an area of 537 ha, is part of the larger protected Gobustan Reservation. It covers three areas of a plateau of rocky boulders rising out of the semi-desert of central Azerbaijan, with an outstanding collection of more than 6,000 rock engravings, mud volcanoes and musical stones bearing testimony to 40,000 years of rock art.
The rock art of Gobustan offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives, beliefs, and artistic expressions of prehistoric communities that once inhabited the area. These petroglyphs depict a diverse range of subjects, including hunting scenes, rituals, dances, animals, and celestial symbols, providing invaluable insights into the cultural practices and social dynamics of ancient societies in the region.
The Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape stands as a remarkable testament to the enduring relationship between humans and their environment throughout millennia. Its inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List recognizes its significance not only as an archaeological site but also as a repository of humanity’s collective heritage, offering invaluable insights into the origins and evolution of human culture in the region.
The Petroglyph Museum functions in the Gobustan reserve since 2011. It showcases exhibitions on World Heritage sites, the discovery of petroglyphs, ancient inhabitants, and the region’s flora and fauna. The museum houses over 100,000 artifacts found during archaeological excavations, including tools, weapons, jewelry, and animal bones. In 2013, it won the European Museum of the Year Award.
Historic Centre of Shaki with the Khan’s Palace
The ancient town of Shaki, situated in the northern region of Azerbaijan, traces its roots back to the 6th century BCE as a part of Caucasian Albania. The site was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List at the 43rd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The Historic Centre of Shaki, a pivotal cultural and commercial hub, reflects millennia of cultural exchange, influenced by Safavid, Ottoman, Qajar, and Russian eras. Its architecture showcases a fusion of oriental and Russian styles, including characteristic elements like balconies and arches. Shaki’s cultural significance extends regionally, influencing the wider Caucasus area. Additionally, it stands as a testament to the feudal system of Caucasian khanates, evident in its palaces, merchant houses, and fortifications. The Historic Center is an exceptional example of a planned ‘garden city’, designed with a hydraulic water system, mills, irrigation, and structures for sericulture. Its houses are aligned with cultivated fields within a forested landscape, integrating human settlement with nature harmoniously.
The Historic Centre of Shaki, including the Khan’s Palace, covering 120.5 hectares, has been safeguarded since 1967 within the “Yukhari Bash” State Historical and Architectural Reserve, which spans 283 hectares, under legislation for protecting historical and cultural sites. It receives strict protection within the city’s overall urban master plan as a designated conservation zone. Presently, management responsibilities lie with the State Tourism Agency and its recently established Reserves Management Centre.
The inclusion of the Khan’s Palace on UNESCO’s World Heritage List underscores its outstanding universal value as a cultural and architectural treasure. As a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of Azerbaijani artisans, it serves as a living testament to the enduring legacy of the Shaki Khanate and a source of pride for the Azerbaijani people.
Hyrcanian Forests
The Hyrcanian Forests of Azerbaijan, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a breathtaking expanse of ancient woodlands nestled within the Caspian Hyrcanian Mixed Forests ecoregion. The site was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List as a natural heritage at the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Encompassing a diverse range of habitats, from lush temperate forests to coastal wetlands, this UNESCO site is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, unique flora, and pristine natural landscapes. The property consists of several component parts and represents examples of the various stages and features of Hyrcanian forest ecosystems.
The Hyrcanian region’s natural forest ecosystems, represented by the property, showcase a rich history dating back 25 to 50 million years when these broad-leaved forests covered much of the Northern Temperate region. These ancient forests, which retreated during Quaternary glaciations and later expanded during milder climate periods, epitomize critical environmental processes such as succession, evolution, and speciation. With over 1200 species (approx. 31% of the species numbers of the vascular plants of Azerbaijan), including numerous relict, endangered, and endemic plants, the Hyrcanian region boasts remarkable floristic biodiversity. 121 species in the Red Book of Azerbaijan are considered rare or threatened. The area’s rich plant kingdom, diverse fauna, and unique habitat, support numerous relict and endemic species, with 46 vertebrate species facing extinction and listed in the Red Data Books of Azerbaijan and the IUCN.
The property is owned by the state and rigorously protected under Azerbaijan’s national legislation. Located within Hirkan National Park, overseen by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, these segments adhere to strict protection measures. Management follows the Hirkan National Park Management Plan and involves collaboration with local stakeholders.
Cultural Landscape of Khinalig People and “Köç Yolu” Transhumance Route
The Cultural Landscape of Khinalig People and “Köç Yolu” Transhumance Route, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List at the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
It encapsulates the rich cultural heritage and unique way of life of the Khinalig people, an ancient mountain community in Azerbaijan. This cultural landscape encompasses not only the remote village of Khinalig but also the traditional 200-kilometre-long seasonal transhumance route known as “Köç Yolu,” which has been vital to the livelihoods and cultural identity of the Khinalig people for centuries.
“Köç Yolu” route serves as a remarkable testament to the long-standing tradition of vertical transhumance among the Khinalig community in the Caucasus region. This landscape effectively preserves the ancestral semi-nomadic eco-social system of the Khinalig people, showcasing their communal transhumance practice. Furthermore, it exemplifies a sustainable land use model, reflecting the semi-nomadic Khinalig transhumance culture and lifestyle. Despite its vulnerability, animal husbandry remains the primary economy, supported by resilient socio-economic structures adapted to extreme environmental conditions.
The property receives the highest level of protection under Azerbaijan’s Constitution and laws, including those on Culture, Preservation of Historical and Cultural Monuments, and Veterinary Control. Presidential Decrees and ministerial decisions further safeguard its cultural and natural heritage. Traditional protection mechanisms also complement legal safeguards. Ownership of the property and its buffer zone is diverse, with state ownership of summer pastures, winter pastures, and the Köç Yolu transhumance route. Management involves various government agencies and the local community, with plans for a new management entity integrating communal management practices. The management plan focuses on transhumance, land use, and intangible heritage, with integration of the Council of Elders’ role into the new framework.
Official Tourism Portal of Azerbaijan: https://azerbaijan.travel/
Azerbaijan State Tourism Agency: www.tourism.gov.az