The Old Baku City guided tour

The tour includes pick-up from the hotel which took a few minutes to drive to the main entrance of the Old City where our walking exploration began.

     

The Old City, or Inner City (Icheri Sheher) is surrounded by walls and is said to date back to at least the 12th century. The Old City is the most ancient part and is considered the historical core of Baku. It includes the Shirvanshah’s Palace and Maiden Tower, which became the first location in Azerbaijan to be classified as a UNESCO World Heritage.

Apparently, a lot has changed within the Walled City since the 1800s during the occupation of the Russian Empire. The city walls were repaired and the fortifications extended. Houses were built and since then have been renovated keeping their unique style intact to this day.  These houses are still inhabited, although it is noticeable that some are somewhat dilapidated.

                 

Wandering along the winding and narrow one-way streets gives a feeling as if I was in a different era as I passed through the doorsteps of the houses of its new inhabitants. The bustling commerce gives another excitement as I haggle the prices at the souvenir shops for the ‘Pasalubong’. While the cafes and restaurants give a feeling of refuge after hours of walking along its cobbled streets that cater to the hungry explorers and locals alike.

       

Just a few meters from the Old City walls are the significantly huge buildings bearing distinct architecture from the Soviet Era.

   

While on the other side you can enjoy the picturesque view of the Old City with the towering modern infrastructure especially Azerbaijan’s iconic Flame Towers as its backdrop.

This tour is an eye opener for every first-time visitor to the city who wishes to know its significance and to have a first-hand view of this centuries-old City. Some of its significant structures and buildings are well maintained and accessible to visitors, especially the Maiden Tower.

It was indeed an interesting afternoon, an insightful introductory tour of Baku City and of the country of Azerbaijan.

For other blogs about my travel to Azerbaijan, please click the below link.

#my first solo travel in 2022: Baku, Azerbaijan

 

 

* This article was originally published here