Gobustan, Ateshgah (Temple of fire), Yanardag (Burning mountain)

Description

Duration: 7-8 hours

9:00 Departure for excursion

Gobustan (Museum of petroglyphs)

The museum of petroglyphs - called Gobustan - is a mountain town in the south-east of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, located 65 km from Baku. It was here that the ancient sites of primitive people were found, who left behind a lot of rock paintings - petroglyphs. These primitive monuments of art reflect the culture, economy, worldview, customs and traditions of ancient people. Long  time ago the sea was splashing right at the foot of these mountains but then it retreated, leaving characteristic relief marks on the polished boiling rocks. After accidentally, in the 30s of the 20th century, unusual patterns were found on the rocks, their “openly” already more than 6 thousand (on 1000 rocks). Also found ancient primitive dwellings - caves and parking, more than 100 thousand items of material culture. Gobustan petroglyphs belong to different epochs. They were made in the period from X - XVIII thousand BC until the middle ages of our epoch.

Mud Volcanoes (on request)

Gobustan is also known for its mud volcanoes which can be counted in the hundreds. By the number of mud volcanoes Azerbaijan ranks first in the world. There are 350 of them (about 800 in the world). Most volcanoes are low mud geysers including those below adult height. Mud volcanoes are active all year round. They themselves are associated with oil and gas fields, so their soil is saturated with oil. With minor or even large eruptions, dirt, like lava, begins to flow freely from the crater  and then dries on the walls outside. And the largest mud volcano in Gobustan reserve is Kianizadag.

 

14:00- 15:00 Lunch break (Master class on request)

“Nush Olsun!” - “Bon appetit!”, They will tell you in every corner of Azerbaijan, cordially inviting you to an abundant feast. The most sophisticated gourmets who come to the republic will like the refinement and delicate aroma of Azerbaijani dishes. The history of the art of culinary recipes in Azerbaijan goes back centuries and is based on the vast experience of hereditary chefs that is preserved today. In terms of the composition and multiplicity of dishes, Azerbaijani cuisine is among the extremely diverse and healthy and is distinguished by an abundance of all sorts of meat, fish and vegetable delicacies, complemented by tender greens and savory spices. The dishes in tandoor are widely spread in the Azerbaijani cuisine. Trere are a large assortment of various sweets and drinks. Exclusive Azerbaijani dishes - dolma, bozbash, bozartma, chyhyrtma, khashil, kebab, piti, pilaf, govurma - are included in the national menu of many peoples of the Caucasus.

Bibi-Heybat Mosque (on the way)

This mosque is located on the shore of the Baku Bay, in the village of Shikhovo in Azerbaijan. The existing building was erected in 1998–1999 on the site of a mosque of the same name, built in the second half of the 13th century by Shirvanshah Abdul-Fath-Farrukhzad, subsequently repeatedly completed (last time in 1911).

 

State Flag Square (on the way)

One of the highest flags in the world flutters on the State Flag Square in Baku. The area covers an area of ​​60 hectares and its upper part is 31 thousand square meters.

“Crystal Hall”

In 2012, the sports hall  Crystal Hall  was built on the seaside boulevard, where international cultural events were held including the famous Eurovision Song Contest (2012).

Baku Seaside Boulevard (1909) (by pass)

 Baku Seaside Boulevard (1909)  is one of the attractions of Baku, a favorite resting place of Baku residents and city guests. In 2009 it celebrated its 100th anniversary. The length of the park before the reconstruction was 16 kilometers and after the general reconstruction is 25 km.

 

Ateshgah (Temple Of  Eternal Fire of the XVI-XVII cc.)

Ateshgah  is a temple of fire in Azerbaijan, on the Absheron Peninsula, 30 km from the center of Baku, on the outskirts of the Surakhani village at various times revered by Zoroastrians, Hindus and Sikhs. Originated in the XVII - XVIII centuries in place of the  eternal  inextinguishable fires - burning natural gas outlets,thanks to which the temple bears the name  Ateshgah, which means  House of Fire,  Place of Fire.  The architectural complex is in terms of a hexagon with a jagged exterior wall and an entrance portal, in the center of the courtyard of which rises the quadrangular main temple - the altar, which was a place of pilgrimage for fire worshipers. Above the entrance portal is a traditional Absheron guest room (balakhana). The altar of fire to some extent reflects the ancient tradition of building altars, common in the territory of Azerbaijan in the Median era. 
The first buildings of the temple Ateshgah belong to the II and III centuries. At that time, Zoroastrianism spread in Azerbaijan, in connection with which Zoroastrian temples were built in the regions. Temple Ateshgah acted until VII century. However, in the XVI-XVII centuries, he received a second life. At that time, the famous Silk Road passed through Azerbaijan, which attracted flows of people here. The pilgrims who came here from various countries, including from India, worshiped fire here. Pilgrimage Zoroastrians settled in cells of 3-4 people. Ateshgah consists of 26 cells and a central altar, which was considered here as the most sacred place. The temple has 20 valuable stone inscriptions located on cells. One of Zoroaster left them. The cells were used as living quarters, chapels, and caravanserais. Over the past year, two new cells have been opened. In these cells are collected some samples of objects belonging to the period before our era. Above the main entrance there is a traditional Absheron guest room. Not far from the temple there is a large burial pit, where earlier the bodies of dead Indians were cremated on sacred fire. Ateshgah temple is included in the original UNESCO World Heritage list.

 

 

Yanardag (Burning Mountain)

Yanardag is one of the most amazing natural attractions of the Absheron Peninsula.  It is a flaming mountainside, which cannot be extinguished either by rain or covered with sand, which has been burning for several millennia. Not so long ago Yanardag was given the status of a historical reserve of Azerbaijan, the mountainside is on the protection of the state. Another local attraction is a cave located at the top of the mountain with the ominous name “Wolf Gate”. It is said that a pack of wolves once lived here, others claim that the rock paintings on the walls of the cave are evidence of the presence of primitive people here. 

 

17:00 End of the tour

Group tours schedule