Top 5 experiences in Azerbaijan

When lockdown is over and you might be able to journey once more, take into account Azerbaijan for its wonderful tradition, landscapes and vibrancy.

With Instagram-worthy reminiscences and moments, a rare vary of locations and a gastronomic journey, Azerbaijan guarantees a heat welcome and unforgettable experiences.

You will discover it on the crossroads of Europe and Asia and provides historic settings to trendy architectural monuments and medieval UNESCO World Heritage websites.

Azerbaijan has 9 out of the 11 distinct climatic zones and due to this fact an unbelievable show of landscapes from lush mountains to seashores, forests, and every part in between.

Here are our prime websites to go to and actions to interact in while in Azerbaijan:

Soak in the historical past of town at Icherisheher in Baku

The partitions of Icherisheher whisper the traditional mysteries of town. Known because the previous city or interior metropolis, it’s positioned in the center of Baku and is a maze of slim roads noticed with limestone buildings. A sight that’s tough to overlook is the Shirvanshahs’ Palace and Maiden Tower, each listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites checklist. The Palace is named a pearl of Azerbaijani structure as it’s made up of a number of completely different constructions constructed all through the ages with every including a ravishing amalgamation of medieval, Asian and Islamic influences.

Another thriller is the Maiden Tower. This cylindrical stark tower has baffled historians with theories aplenty about its origins and the precise date of building, although marked round it are stunning scriptures that trace at its potential roots.

Despite that, it is without doubt one of the most iconic constructions in town housing a museum overlaying the historical past of Baku. It can be house to the International Festival of Arts and repeatedly showcases work from progressive artists towards its mystic backdrop.

View the fiery temple of Ateshgah and the Burning Mountain at Yanar Dag

The Ateshgah Fire Temple amazes guests with its enrapturing flames and options 16 inscriptions that harbour centuries-old secrets and techniques.

This Zoroastrian-Hindu temple in Surakhani dates to the nineteenth century and is a melting pot of Western and Eastern cultures. The mystic temple is bound to depart you and the youngsters in awe.

Another location symbolising the nation’s many ties to fireside is Yanardag or the “The Burning Mountain”, a hill of fireside that has been blazing with a 10-metre wall of flames for hundreds of years.

Indulge in some advantageous wine

With the foothills and valleys of the Caucasus nation being superb for rising grapevines, this area has produced a few of the most interesting wines over its celebrated 6000-year-old wine historical past. Thanks to Azerbaijan’s geographical location, winemaking has all the time been a distinguished a part of its tradition. In truth, wine was right here even earlier than Azerbaijan was! The observe predates the trendy borders that divide up the Caucasus area.

Azerbaijan’s wineries make in depth use of well-known grape varieties together with Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Pinot Blanc. But there are additionally a number of vital Pan-Caucasian and native varietals. As properly because the classics, Azerbaijan additionally has a fast-growing demand for different non-grape wines, most notably full-flavoured pomegranate-based wines that are a present favorite amongst Baku’s youthful social circles.

Check out the primitive petroglyphs of Gobustan 60 km from Baku

Rising out of the semi-desert Gobustan is a UNESCO World Heritage web site of greater than 6,000 rock engravings. You can even see graffiti by a Roman legionary – the furthest east it has ever been discovered. The Petroglyphs of Gobustan are inventive chronicles of the previous which bear nice significance each for finding out each the pre-history of humanity and primitive artwork. Gobustan’s monuments span throughout a interval of roughly 20,000 years starting from the top of Upper Palaeolithic until the start of our period. Besides that, do you know that about 350 out of the 800 mud volcanoes identified in the world are positioned in Azerbaijan?

Admire the fascinating craftsmanship of the Sheki Khans’ Palace

The historic centre of Sheki and Sheki Khan’s Palace are Azerbaijan’s most not too long ago inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site, added in July 2019. Located 5 hours from Baku on the foot of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, the historic city of Sheki has historic origins as a part of Caucasian Albania, courting from the sixth century BCE.

The charming metropolis is certainly one of Azerbaijan’s most picturesque locations, full of cobbled streets and medieval structure. By the nineteenth century, Sheki, on the Silk Road path by way of northwest Azerbaijan, was a global centre for silk manufacturing and varied crafts.

As a metropolis identified for its craftsmanship, a major instance of the creativity is the Sheki Khans’ Palace, a singular architectural monument of the Sheki Khanate. Built by Huseyn Khan in 1762, the lavish tiles, fountains, and stained glass of the palace are a visible feast. The facade is roofed with shebeke, a singular mosaic of colored glass set in a picket latticework assembled solely with out nails or glue.

Indulge in iconic work on the Heydar Aliyev Centre, Baku

Designed by illustrious architect Zaha Hadid, the Heydar Aliyev Centre has turn into an iconic landmark of innovation in Baku and past. Since its opening, it has proved to be some of the standard websites in the Azerbaijani capital and a must-visit vacation spot for up to date artwork lovers from all around the world.

Besides the constructing’s magnificent structure, it homes a few of the finest artwork curations in town, in addition to museums and a plethora of free masterclasses, from tango to chess to capoeira, reaffirming that the Heydar Aliyev Centre is the place to be.

From conventional antiquities and rock work of Gobustan to the wealthy tapestries of the Silk Road period, the museum hosts age-old wonders which are numerous and beguiling. As you go greater in the constructing you end up strolling by way of the historical past and transition of the nation.

More data: Azerbaijan Tourism Board