Great Silk Road and Azerbaijan. Baku Old City Walking Tour. What should you know?!

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Feb 11

As we know, The Great Silk Road is a trade route connecting the East and the West. Baku and Shamakha cities, as unique historical places, were on a Silk Way Trade Destination. The important ntegral monuments along this route were caravanserais in these cities.

This Trade Silk Road passed through the territory of Azerbaijan. The of the main cities on this route were the capital of Shirvanshakh (previous name of the country), Baku, the second-largest city Ganja, the previous capital of the country Shamakhi and Barda, Gabala and others. They were trading with carpets, exotic animals, saffron, oil, jewelry, weapons, etc… The many caravanserais were built in the country. Some of them have survived to this present day.

UNESCO listed open air museum — The Old City Baku (Icherisheher) is popular because it blends ancient history with the mix of modern life. It includes its 12th-century architecture, narrow streets-labyrinths, iconic World Heritage landmarks like the Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs' Uncompleted Complex of Palaces, traditional carpet and silk shops, and unique culinary scene. It offers a true time-travel experience.

Inner City Baku

Bird Fly View. Azerbaijan

These two iconic UNESCO Sites, Maiden Tower and Shirvanshakh's Uncompleted Palaces, have a sun clock in the window and arches. It is not an ordinary sundial, which is an effective measure of solar time rather than a mechanical clock. Seasons, latitude, sun's position affect readings.

The shadows you can see on the walls of Shirvanshakh's Uncompleted Palace are generally longer during summer and show the soldiers on walls. It provides a natural connection to the Earth's movements.

On the fourth floor of the World Heritage Maiden Tower, you can tell what time of day it is by observing a shadow of windows.For centuries, Azerbaijani people have relied on the sun’s position in the sky as a natural clock. This ancient practice from Gobustan till today is not just fascinating, it still connects us deeply with nature's rhythms because of Maiden Tower.

This method of telling time dates back thousands of years to civilizations like the Egyptians and Greeks.

World Heritage Maiden Tower, Baku, Azerbaijan

So, next time you're outdoors feeling curious about your surroundings of astronomy while hiking through the Old City of Baku, take note of where the sun sits above you and watch how the shadow shifts over minutes into hours—a gentle reminder that nature has provided us with tools.

Icheri Sheher, translating to “Inner City or Inner Town” in Azerbaijani language, where the story of Azerbaijan’s big capital began. Locally, this area is referred to as “The Fortress”. As a prominent historian, cultural and architectural monument, Icheri Sheher was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Situated in the center of Baku city, Inner Town is bordered by the Seaside Boulevard to the east and south. The Old City is located on a Baku hill in the Sabail district, with Neftchilar Avenue running along its eastern edge, and the Philharmonic (Executive) Garden is located to the southwest, just beyond the complex.