The Monuments of Western Azerbaijan

The historical monument that located near to Bayil cape of Baku city and presently remained at the bottom of the sea waters. Being one of the most beautiful works of the Shirvan-Absheron architectural school and built in the XIII century, Bayil Castle sometimes comes to surface by rising and lowering of the waters of the Caspian Sea and somitimes it disappears. Though the Castle was named differently in various sources (Underwater City, Bayil Stones, Sabail Castle, Caravansarai, Khanagah, Komrukkhana etc.) its name in scientific literature is used as “Bayil Castle. Bayil Castle, according to the shape is oblong as per shape of island. Castle’s length is 180 m, average width is 35 meters. East of castle walls was fortified with six and in the west with five semicircular (such as the Baku Castle) towers.

Construction of Bail Castle was completed at time of political-military turmoil in the Middle East caused by Mongol invasions (years 1234-1235). However, the life of this magnificent castle, which was built on island close to the shore, was too short. According to scientists, in 1306 as a result of strong earthquake, it was sunken into the sea.

Maiden Tower

It is the most majestic and mysterious monument of architecture of Baku and the Absheron peninsula, as well. The Tower is the historical monument located near to the seaside park (Boulevard), in the south-eastern part of the ancient fortress walls (Icherisheher). This rare monument of three towers has a lot of historical and architectural problems.

The height of 28 m, a diameter at the ground floor is 16.5 m. The wall thickness at the ground floor is 5 meters. The inner side of the Tower is divided into 8 floors. Each floor was covered with dome-shaped ceiling built of hewn stones. The Tower began to operate as a museum since 1964, and in 2000 it was enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

One of the emblems of Azerbaijan, the Maiden's Tower was described repeatedly on banknotes and coins of Azerbaijan.

Khudaferin Bridges

Historically, it is located in the territory of Jabrayil region that unites the south and north of Azebaijan, which is currently occupied by the Armenians. Khudaferin is great architectural historical monuments, which is the ornament of history of Azerbaijani architecture. It is known about two Khudaferin bridges over the Araz River. The first of them is called Main Khudaferin bridge”, its length is 130, width 6, and height is 12 meters. The second bridge is with 15 spans and the length of 200, a width of 4.5 meters and a height of 10 meters. It is expected that the Main Khudaferin Bridge is the oldest one. Thus, it is assumed that this bridge was built from wood during Ahamanids Empire and later coated with stone and bricks during Eldagizids state. H. Kazvini writes that the Khudaferin Bridge had been built in 736 Greg. by man which was close to the Prophet Muhammad, by Bakir ibn Abdullah. There are assumptions that as if Khudaferin Bridge was built by Alexander the Great, or by Roman commander Pompey. The bridge was of great importance in development of economic and cultural relations of Azerbaijan with countries starting from India to the Near and Middle East countries, Russia.

Construction of Bail Castle was completed at time of political-military turmoil in the Middle East caused by Mongol invasions (years 1234-1235). However, the life of this magnificent castle, which was built on island close to the shore, was too short. According to scientists, in 1306 as a result of strong earthquake, it was sunken into the sea.