EXCURSİON TO THE “OLD TOWN”

  OLD TOWN- “İCHERİ SHEHER”

   This is the old part of Baku, sometimes called an acropolis or an Inner City. This is the center of historical attractions, both literally and figuratively. Icheri Sheher is the heart and pulse of the city where the birth of Baku took place. Now it is an old residential quarter, which in 2000 was taken under the protection of UNESCO, and since the late 1970 has received the status of a historical and cultural reserve. The first inhabitants in Icheri-Shekher appeared during the Bronze Age, and by the 8th-9th centuries. Due to the fact that the quarter is surrounded by fortress walls, the locals call this place a fortress.
The following ancient objects are located on the territory of the complex: Caravanserai, bathhouses, mosques and minarets, Shirvanshahs Palace, Maiden Tower, Divanhane.
In the 15th century. Icheri Sheher received a new impetus to development, as the capital of shirvanshahs was moved here, and they built a unique palace for themselves. Until the 19th century Baku did not go beyond the inner city. The increase in the city began after the “oil boom.” A fortress wall that has 25 towers and five gates. Previously, there was also an outer wall, but it was removed in the early 19th century ., which was necessary for the construction of residential quarters. The sights of “Icheri Sheher” include the following monuments of architecture and art:
1. The Gate of Murad
They were built in the 16th century, recognized as a monument of architecture, located on the eastern side of Icheri-Shekher. This is the main gate of the fortress.
2. »The Maiden’s Tower»
 The symbol of Baku, included in the list of the oldest buildings of the city. Once there was a Zoroastrian temple. But over time, the Maiden Tower or Gyz Galasy became an object in the fortification system of fortifications Icheri-Shekher. If you go on a guided tour, then he will tell you a lot of secrets and secrets of the tower, which are associated with numerous legends.
3. “The Palace of the Shirvanshahs”
The palace complex was built for three hundred years. The сonstruction was started in the 12th century .. and finished in the 15th century, becoming a real pearl of Baku and its old part. The architectural ensemble consists of several buildings – a palace in which 2 floors, a tomb of rulers, a mosque, a sofa, a mausoleum, a bathhouse, a gate of Murad built in the 16th century, the Eastern portal. As a result, it turned out that there is a city inside Ichari-Shekher.
4. “Multani”
 This is a type of open caravan-shed, which is located in the territory of Icheri-Shekher, built in the 15th century. This allowed traders and merchants from India to stop here on vacation. They came from the Indian city of Multan. The caravan-shed has a square shape, inside is a cozy courtyard with a deep well. Throughout the perimeter of the caravan-shed, individual cells were equipped. Stables and farm buildings were erected separately. Interestingly, they built Multani on the ruins of a very ancient structure, from which until today a large number of buildings and monuments of archeology.
5. “Bukhara caravanserai”
Another hotel in Baku existed for merchants who came from the city of Bukhara. Like the previous monument, the caravanserai was built in the 15th century.
6. “Sons of Kala”
 This is a unique and very beautiful medieval mosque, which, like other attractions, is located in the Inner City. Until now, most of the minaret and the central hall of the temple have been perfectly preserved. There are regular excursions here.
7. “The Juma Mosque”
 Has the status of the cathedral, ie. main, which is a part of the reserve Icheri-Shekher. Once here was the oldest Zoroastrian temple of fire worshipers, which existed for more than a thousand years. In the 14th century in its place erected a mosque, which was first restored in the very end of the 19th century.
8. “Bathhouses of Baku”
 This is the most unique and vivid sight of ancient Baku, which includes several baths. Among them, it is worth noting Haji Gaiba, Aga Mikail, Kasum Beck, Shirvanshah. The latter refers to the type of palace baths, which in the palace there are 26 pieces. They were discovered only in 1939, when archaeological excavations were conducted here. The building of the baths was semi-subterranean, covered with domes. Haji Gaiba is among the communal and economic buildings, located near the Maiden Tower. It is believed that it was erected around the 15th century, consisted of three parts – a dressing room, a dressing room and halls for bathing. Around the last two rooms were many small rooms. Heating baths Shirvanshahs and Haji Gaib was carried out with the help of channels laid under the floors of the premises.

9. “The Market Square”
  It was discovered very recently – in the middle of 1964, when a complex of excavations was carried out. At a depth of five meters, a cultural layer was discovered, which archaeologists gradually discover and study. The square, the market and the columns have already been fully opened. During the excursion to Icheri Sheher you will get an unforgettable pleasure from the historical panorama, having made a mental movement in time, you will discover a completely new world connected with the past of ancient Azerbaijan.