Sightseeing tour in Baku, Ateshgah (Temple of fire), Yanardag (Burning mountain)

Description

Duration: 5-6 hours

10:00 Departure for excursion

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. 

 

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.

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.

14:30 Walk around the city of Baku

The Garden of Ali Agha Vahid (Governor’s Garden 1830)

Ali Agha Vahid Garden, formerly known as the Mikhailovsky or Governor’s Garden, is one of the oldest parks in the capital of Azerbaijan, in the city of Baku. The governor’s Sadik, also known as Mikhailovsky, also known as the Garden of the Revolution, is in fact the oldest garden in the city and for a very long time remained the only garden in Baku. One of the oldest and busiest gardens in the city is Mikhailovsky, or as residents often called him, the Governor’s (4.6 hectares), went through a long stage of formation, until the final planning structure was formed, which successfully fit into the relief.

 

 Baku Seaside Boulevard (1909) 

 Baku Seaside Boulevard  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.

 

Little Venice (1960)

In 1960 at the very edge of Baku Boulevard city authorities built an amazing complex of canals and islands.  Little Venice  is a landmark of the seaside park and is considered a favorite resting place for visitors to the park.

 

Museum of Azerbaijani Carpet (1967)

The Azerbaijan Carpet Museum was founded in 1967 becoming the first specialized museum in the world to collect, preserve and study carpet. The museum is a treasure trove of Azerbaijani national culture, showing the carpet in close relationship with other types of traditional art of Azerbaijan.

 

Fountain Square

Fountain Square is one of the main attractions of the Azerbaijani capital. The square has been the cultural center of Baku since the 1860s, surrounded by important historical buildings:one of the country's first cinema halls - Araz (1870); Old Grand Hotel; Nizami Museum, operating since the end of the XIX century.                                                              

Highland Park (Kirov Park - 1934)

The park is viewed from almost any point of  Boulevard but climbing up opens the best view of the city. The mountainous park is worth a visit at different times of the day - in the morning to meet the sunrise, in the afternoon to see the main sights of Baku from a bird's eye view and in the evening you can take a long look at illumination of  night Baku and enjoy the laser show Flame Towers.

The best way to get to the Highland Park is by the funicular - such a rare type of urban transport, by the way, the Baku funicular is also a separate attraction in itself.

 

 

Flame Towers (2007 y.)

Flame Towers - the highest buildings in Azerbaijan located in Baku. Its appearance of the tower resemble three flames.

 

 

Government House of Azerbaijan - 1936-1952 (passing through)

 

The Government House of Azerbaijan is a magnificent palace-type building. in the Baroque style It was built by architects L.V. Rudnev and V.O. Munzem in the Baroque style .The prototype for the three rows of columns on each side of the building was the colonnade of the reception hall of the Shirvanshahs Palace. Today the Government House is considered one of the main attractions of the city of Baku.

 

Heydar Aliyev Center (2007)

Heydar Aliyev Center - a project that was designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid, is one of the most famous cultural centers of the capital of Azerbaijan.

 

17:00 End of the tour

Group tours schedule