Baku Metro: Your Guide to the Underground Heart of the City

Today, Icherisheher station features a striking glass pyramid above ground (reminiscent of the Louvre in Paris), and inside, a beautifully decorated hall with bas-reliefs that echo Baku’s fortress heritage.

The Baku Metro was the fifth to be constructed in the USSR, following Moscow, Leningrad, Kyiv, and Tbilisi. Station names once honored Soviet figures, some with little or even negative associations with Azerbaijan. For instance, Khatai station was originally named after Bolshevik S. Shaumyan, who was linked to tragic events in 1918. After independence, many stations were renamed to reflect Azerbaijani history and heroes.

Post-independence, the Baku Metro continued to grow. Stations such as Koroglu (formerly Meshadi Azizbekov), Gara Garayev (formerly Avrora), Neftchilar, and Khalglar Dostlugu (Friendship of Peoples) were added. In 2000, the Azi Aslanov station became the new terminus of the red line.

One of the crown jewels of the green line is Nizami station, often considered the most beautiful in the system. Its walls are adorned with mosaics inspired by the epic poems of Nizami Ganjavi, and the sparkling ceiling lights create an atmosphere reminiscent of Eastern Renaissance literature.

Equally memorable is Elmler Akademiyasi station ("Academy of Sciences"), located near major universities including Baku State University. This station is a hub of student life and is often called “the station of eternal youth.”

An emotional connection exists between two stations – January 20 (20 Yanvar) and Azadlig Prospekti (Independence Avenue). January 20 is a national day of mourning commemorating victims of Soviet military actions in 1990. Locals often reflect on the symbolism: "To reach Independence, one must pass through January 20" — even in the metro.

Although the collapse of the USSR in the early 1990s delayed many construction projects, several tunnels had already been built. This allowed for the completion of stations such as Nasimi, Azadlig Prospekti, and Darnagul in later years. The purple line is now under expansion, and new stations are planned as Baku continues to grow.

Whether you're a resident or a traveler, the Baku Metro is more than a way to get around — it's a journey through the layers of Azerbaijan’s history. With a convenient Metro Card, fast connections, and architectural beauty, the Metro in Baku offers both function and inspiration.