Icherisheher Travel Guide — Top Places, History and Atmosphere of Old Baku 2025

IchariSheher — the heart of Baku and a city within fortress walls that is more than 2,000 years old. Every stone here holds stories, legends and secrets, while the narrow streets resemble a labyrinth of time where ancient heritage coexists harmoniously with modern life. No visit to Baku is complete without exploring this unique district — a place where Eastern and Western civilizations have intertwined to form a rich cultural legacy.

Below is a convenient guide to the most significant locations in IchariSheher, complete with descriptions, history and key details every traveler should know.

One of the most enigmatic structures in Baku and a national symbol of Azerbaijan. The Maiden Tower is surrounded by numerous legends — from romantic stories to mystical tales. Scholars still debate its true purpose: an observatory, a Zoroastrian temple, or a defensive structure.

Climbing to the top offers one of the best panoramic views of the Baku Bay and the Old City.

A 15th-century architectural masterpiece and residence of one of the oldest dynasties of the region. The complex includes a mausoleum, a mosque, a divankhana, and royal living quarters.

This palace reflects the era when Baku was a center of craftsmanship, science and poetry. Its stone walls carved with delicate patterns immerse visitors in the atmosphere of the medieval East.

A vibrant reminder of the Great Silk Road. It was built by Indian Multani merchants who traded spices, silks and dyes.

The quiet courtyard, arched passages and cool stone halls preserve the authentic feel of old-world trade. Today tourists can relax in its small restaurants and sense the spirit of ancient commerce.

Another major trading hub where merchants from Central Asia once stopped.

While walking through its preserved galleries, one can almost imagine bustling markets, the scent of spices and conversations of travelers from distant lands.

Constructed on the site of an ancient Zoroastrian temple. The mosque’s current appearance dates back to 1899, yet its archaeological layers reach much deeper.

It is the spiritual heart of IchariSheher, where different cultural and religious epochs have overlapped for millennia.

One of the most unusual museums in the world and home to the largest collection of miniature books on the planet.

Visitors can see extremely rare editions — some smaller than a fingernail. This cozy and unique museum is especially beloved by tourists.

IchariSheher is surrounded by massive 12th-century fortress walls that have survived wars, sieges and earthquakes.

Tourists can walk along the walls, discover defensive towers and imagine how life once looked when the entire city existed within the fortress.

These are not just streets — they are living history. Some are barely a meter wide and create an unmistakable Eastern charm.

Here you’ll meet artisans selling carpets, copperware, ceramics, jewelry and traditional tea. Every turn leads to a new courtyard, an old house or a hidden glimpse of the past.

A deeply cultural place dedicated to the founder of Azerbaijani satirical caricature.

The museum showcases Baku’s artistic scene of the early 20th century, the artist’s social vision and the nuances of national miniature art.

IchariSheher has preserved old-style shared courtyards where families lived for generations.

These spaces reveal the everyday life of old Baku — simple, warm and filled with genuine local atmosphere.

IchariSheher is one of the oldest urban centers in the region. Archaeological findings show that settlements existed here as early as the Bronze Age. Over time, the city became a key point on trade routes, a center of skilled craftsmen and a stronghold of the Shirvanshah rulers.

In 2000, IchariSheher was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a rare example of a city that has preserved its historical identity for centuries.

This district is a living museum where modern life flows naturally alongside deep antiquity.