Maiden Tower (Baku)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the tower in old town Baku, Azerbaijan. For the tower near Istanbul, Turkey in the Bosphorus strait, see Kız Kulesi (Maiden's Tower).
| Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iv |
| Reference | 958 |
| Region** | Europe |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2000 (24th Session) |
| Endangered | 2003-2009 |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. |
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The Maiden Tower (Azerbaijani: Qız Qalası; Russian: Девичья башня), is a tower in Old City, old town Baku, originally on the shore of the Caspian Sea. Due to land reclamation in the early 20th century the tower is now separated from the Caspian by a busy main road and public gardens.
It was constructed in the 12th century, or possibly earlier - its architectural style and construction sequence is obscure, and estimates for its age go back to an unlikely 2,500 years. It was built by the 12th century architect Masud ibn Davud, who was probably the father of the architect of Mardakan Round Tower (not to confuse with Mardakan castle)[1]. Its foundation are believed to be a Sasanid era Zoroastrian site.[2]
There are a number of competing explanations for the name:
- A legend concerning a maiden who threw herself off its top, to her death in the waves below.
- The fact that the tower has never been taken by force.
- Some believe that it was once a Watch Tower [Göz Qalası]
The Maiden Tower is a noted landmark and one of Azerbaijan's most distinctive national emblems. It is featured on Azeri currency notes and other official pieces of paper. It houses a museum and a gift shop. The view from the roof takes in the alleys and minarets of the Old City, the Maritime National Park, the De Gaulle house and a wide vista of the Baku Bay. In recent years the brazier on the top has been lit during the nights of the Novrous festival.
The Maiden Tower is depicted on the obverse of the Azerbaijani 1 to 250 manat banknotes of 1992-2006,[3] and of the 10 manat banknote issued since 2006.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Photo album
 The Maiden Tower in old town Baku. |
 Maiden Tower by night. |
 Information plate of the Maiden Tower. |
 Information regarding the Maiden Tower, Old City (Baku) and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Ашурбейли Сара. История города Баку: период средневековья. Баку, Азернешр, 1992; page 149
- ^ http://www.goroskop.8m.net/avesta1.html
- ^ National Bank of Azerbaijan. National currency: 1 manat, 5 manat, 10 manat, 50 manat, 100 manat & 250 manat. – Retrieved on 24 March 2009.
- ^ National Bank of Azerbaijan. National currency: 10 manat. – Retrieved on 25 March 2009.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Maiden Tower |
- Secrets of the Maiden Tower. Azerbaijan International (Autumn 2006)
- Baku's Maiden Tower from Azerbaijan International
- Maiden Tower a Hindu Temple for the Fire God Agni?
- 3D MODEL
Coordinates: 40°21′58.20″N 49°50′14.10″E / 40.3661667°N 49.83725°E
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