Icheri Sheher or the old city is a residential quarter , located on the hill of Caspian sea shore. It is surrounded by the well-preserved walls of a former 12th-century fortress. 10 centuries ago, the capital of the ancient state of Shirvanshahs, which laid the foundation of Azerbaijani statehood, was located at this place. Currently, more than 1,300 families live in the Old Town. Icheri Sheher was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.
On the territory of Old city there are more than 500 historical monuments. The territory of Icheri Sheher has been inhabited since the 8th century. Then, in the 15th century, the Shirvanshah moved the capital to Baku. The main attractions of Icheri Sheher are Maiden Tower and Shirvanshah Palace. Beside the Maiden’s Tower, the Palace of Shirvanshahs there are bathhouses, cafes, museums, embassies, hotels and mosques. And interesting fact is, that people still live there. The small winding streets and the very beautiful architecture of the buildings enchants every single visitor.
Upland Park
The memorial Upland Park is located high above the coast part of Baku, and it offers a very beautiful view of Baku Bay, along which the wide strip stretches Primorsky Boulevard, the old town of Icheri Sheher, the Maiden Tower and the Palace of Shirvanshahs are visible.
You can reach this Park from Primorsky Boulevard. There is a funicular station near the building Museum of carpets with the help cable car you can get to Upland Park. Or there is another option there is staircase near the station, so you can use it, although it will be more difficult. However, if you would like to observe the city, you have to choose staircase, since during the walk there will be beautiful views of the city from different angles.
Museum of Carpets
Another must-see place in Baku is the Museum of the Carpets. The museum was founded in 1967. There are three floors inside. You can hardly find similar museum in the other part of the world, that is dedicated to the art of carpets. This museum is a treasury of the Azerbaijani national culture, showing the carpet in close relationship with other types of traditional art of Azerbaijan. His collection contains about 14,000 carpets, embroidery, clothing, copper-copper items, jewelry, modern works of glass, wood and felt. The new building of this museum is also unique; it looks like a long roll of carpet. On the ground floor, you can see the process of making carpets, learn the history of this art, and buy appropriate souvenirs. On the top two floors are located exhibits with the latest technology. In the collection of the museum there are unusual objects of this art from different countries. There are also 3D objects from carpet products, carpets depicting scenes of famous works, a room with carpet furniture and carpet TV. If you are planning to visit this museum it is better to take an excursion or audio-guide. Because most of the works have historical background that is important to know and understand specific ornaments.
Photos from sources – ulduztourism.az, likealocalguide.com, wikipedia.org, indy-guide.com