Baku history

Baku is a city with an ancient and rich history rooted in deep antiquity. Archaeological finds on the Absheron Peninsula testify to settlements existing here thousands of years ago, yet the first written mentions of the city date back to the early Middle Ages. The origin of the name is linked to Persian words that can be translated as "City of God" or "Place of God," which was likely associated with unique natural phenomena—burning outlets of oil and gas, revered by fire worshippers.

Foundation and First Mentions

Although the exact date of Baku's foundation is unknown, the first reliable mentions of it appear in 5th-century sources. The Byzantine historian Priscus of Panium, describing the route from Scythia to Media, mentioned a "flame bursting from the sea rock" near Baku. Arab geographers and historians, starting from the 9th-10th centuries, describe Baku as a small but important port city. During this period, it was part of the Shirvanshah state, gradually gaining economic and strategic significance.

Key Factors of Formation

Several key factors contributed to the development of Baku:

• Geographical Location: Its location on the shores of the Caspian Sea in a convenient bay made the city a natural seaport and a vital point on trade routes, including branches of the Great Silk Road.
• Natural Resources: Since ancient times, the region has been known for its deposits of oil and salt. Trade in these resources was a major source of income for the city.
• Political Centre: After a devastating earthquake in Shamakhi in 1191, Shirvanshah Akhsitan I moved the capital of the Shirvanshah state to Baku. This gave a powerful impetus to the city's development, transforming it into the political, economic, and cultural centre of Shirvan.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

During the reign of the Shirvanshahs, Baku was actively built up and fortified. It was then that the famous fortress of Icherisheher (Old City) was erected with powerful walls that have survived to this day. Inside the fortress, iconic structures were built that became symbols of the city—the Maiden Tower and the magnificent complex of the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. The city's economy was based on crafts, trade, fishing, and, of course, oil extraction. Baku became one of the wealthiest cities of the East, where trade flourished and a unique architectural school developed.

Chronology of Baku's History

The history of Baku is a kaleidoscope of eras and events, from ancient fire cults to its transformation into a modern metropolis. Key milestones reflect its strategic importance at the crossroads of trade routes and its role in the global oil industry.

• 5th Century — First written mention of Baku in Byzantine sources, describing "flame bursting from the sea rock" in its vicinity.
• 12th Century — After a devastating earthquake in Shamakhi (1191), Shirvanshah Akhsitan I moves the capital of the Shirvanshah state to Baku, sparking its development.
• 13th-15th Centuries — Construction of iconic monuments within the Icherisheher fortress, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs complex, which became a pearl of Azerbaijani architecture.
• 1441-1442 — Construction of the minaret of the palace mosque under Shirvanshah Khalilullah I, testifying to the city's cultural and religious flourishing.
• 1501 — The city becomes part of the Safavid state under the leadership of Shah Ismail I, starting a new page in its history.
• 1806 — Baku finally becomes part of the Russian Empire, marking the beginning of a new stage of urban and economic development.
• 1846 — In the vicinity of Baku, at the Bibi-Heybat field, the world's first oil well was drilled using the percussion method, predetermining the city's future.
• 1859 — Baku becomes the centre of the Baku Governorate, strengthening its administrative and political importance in the region.
• 1872 — The abolition of the farming system in oil fields and the holding of the first oil auctions marked the beginning of the first "oil boom" in Baku.
• 1883 — The opening of the Baku-Tbilisi railway line connected the city with the Transcaucasus and contributed to further industrial growth.
• 1920 — Baku is proclaimed the capital of the Azerbaijan SSR, becoming an important political, industrial, and cultural centre of the Soviet Union.
• 2000 — The Icherisheher complex, along with the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The history of Baku is a kaleidoscope of eras, each leaving an indelible mark on its appearance and character. From a medieval capital to a modern metropolis, the city has gone through several key transformations that defined its current status.

Medieval Flourishing

In the 12th century, after a devastating earthquake in Shamakhi, Shirvanshah Akhsitan I moved the capital of his state to Baku. This period was marked by the construction of the powerful fortress walls of Icherisheher and the laying of the foundations for the Shirvanshahs' palace complex, which turned Baku into an important political and cultural centre of the region.

First Oil Boom (Late 19th – Early 20th Century)

Industrial oil extraction, which began in the second half of the 19th century, radically changed the city. The influx of capital, including from families such as the Nobels and Rothschilds, triggered a construction boom. During this period, magnificent mansions of oil barons were erected in European architectural styles, which today form the unique architectural appearance of central Baku. The city rapidly turned into one of the most important industrial centres of the world.

Soviet Period

In the 20th century, Baku established itself as the industrial and administrative centre of Soviet Azerbaijan. Active residential and public construction took place during this time. Iconic objects appeared, such as the Government House on Freedom Square, and the urban infrastructure expanded significantly beyond the historical centre. This stage added features of Constructivism and Stalinist Empire style to the city's architectural landscape.

"Contract of the Century" and Second Oil Boom

After gaining independence, the key event for the economy was the "Contract of the Century," signed in 1994. This agreement on the development of Caspian fields attracted massive foreign investment to the country and launched a new stage of rapid development. The revenues generated were directed towards large-scale modernization and construction.

Modern Architectural Transformation

Starting from the 2000s, Baku has been experiencing a true renaissance. The city has become a platform for bold architectural experiments. World-famous projects have been realized, such as the Flame Towers, which have become the new symbol of the city, and the Heydar Aliyev Centre designed by Zaha Hadid, which received international acclaim. These and other projects, including the Baku Crystal Hall and the large-scale reconstruction of the Seaside Boulevard, have formed the new, futuristic look of the capital.

Architectural Appearance: A Dialogue of East and West

The architecture of Baku represents a unique fusion of Islamic traditions, European classics, and futuristic experiments. The urban development of the capital of Azerbaijan can be clearly divided into four key stages, each leaving its unique mark on the city's appearance. Thanks to the use of local limestone (aglay), even buildings from different eras blend harmoniously with each other, creating a unified ensemble of the "City of Winds."

Middle Ages: Shirvan-Absheron School (12th–15th Centuries)

The ancient core of the city, the Icherisheher fortress, demonstrates the mastery of medieval architects. This period is characterized by conciseness of forms, monumentality, and skillful stone carving.

• Style: Traditional Islamic architecture with elements of local building traditions (cubic volumes, domes, blank walls).
• Iconic Objects: The Palace of the Shirvanshahs complex, the legendary Maiden Tower, ancient mosques and baths, and a labyrinth of narrow streets.

First Oil Boom: Eclecticism and Art Nouveau (Late 19th – Early 20th Century)

With the beginning of industrial oil extraction, the city stepped beyond the fortress walls. Baku began to be called the "Paris of the Caucasus": oil magnates invited the best European architects, who realized the boldest projects here, adapting them to the Oriental flavour.

• Neo-Gothic: A striking example is the Ismailiyya Palace (now the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences), inspired by the Venetian Palazzo Ca' d'Oro.
• Neo-Baroque and Rococo: The building of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.
• Neo-Renaissance: The building of the former City Duma (now the Baku City Executive Power).
• Art Nouveau: Mansions in the city centre with flowing lines and floral ornaments.

Soviet Period: From Constructivism to Empire Style (1920–1991)

Joining the USSR brought new urban planning principles. Master plans of that time provided for the creation of wide avenues, parks, and large-scale public buildings.

• Constructivism (1920s–30s): Functional buildings made of concrete and glass, devoid of decoration. An example is the Palace of the Press.
• Stalinist Empire (1940s–50s): A majestic style combining elements of Classicism and national Azerbaijani motifs (pointed arches, ornaments). The main symbol of this era is the monumental Government House on Freedom Square.
• Soviet Modernism (1960s–80s): The Gulistan Palace and the Baku Circus building.

Modernity: High-Tech and Deconstructivism (from the 2000s)

In the 21st century, Baku has turned into a platform for the global architectural elite. The new look of the city is formed by glass, metal, and complex geometric shapes symbolizing aspiration towards the future.

• High-Tech and Postmodernism: The famous Flame Towers, imitating tongues of fire and becoming the new symbol of the city.
• Deconstructivism: The Heydar Aliyev Centre, designed by Zaha Hadid. The building is distinguished by a complete absence of straight lines, creating an effect of fluidity and infinity.
• Neoclassicism: Modern development stylized after the architecture of the oil boom of the late 19th century (for example, buildings on Nizami Street and in the "White City" district).

Outstanding Personalities Associated with Baku

The history of Baku is rich with the names of people who made a significant contribution not only to the development of the city but also to world science, culture, and art. Their destinies are closely intertwined with the streets and eras of the capital of Azerbaijan.

• Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev (1823/1838–1924) — An oil industrialist and philanthropist whose name became a symbol of the first oil boom. He invested colossal funds in the transformation of Baku, financing the construction of theatres, public buildings, and the first secular school for girls in the Muslim East. His activities largely shaped the architectural appearance of the city, which came to be called the "Paris of the Caucasus."
• Uzeyir Hajibeyov (1885–1948) — A composer, conductor, and public figure, the founder of Azerbaijani classical music and opera. He is the author of the first opera in the Islamic world, "Leyli and Majnun" (1908), as well as the music of the national anthem of Azerbaijan. His work became the foundation for the entire national musical culture.
• Lev Landau (1908–1968) — An outstanding theoretical physicist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1962. He was born in Baku into the family of an oil engineer and entered Baku University at the age of 14, starting his path into great science in this very city.
• Mstislav Rostropovich (1927–2007) — A world-famous cellist, conductor, and pianist. He was born in Baku into a family of professional musicians who taught at the local conservatory at the invitation of Uzeyir Hajibeyov. Rostropovich is considered one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century.
• Muslim Magomayev (1942–2008) — A Soviet, Azerbaijani, and Russian opera and pop singer (baritone) and composer. He was born and raised in Baku, and he is buried here in the Alley of Honor. Possessing a unique voice and charisma, he became an idol of millions and one of the brightest symbols of the Soviet stage.
• Garry Kasparov (born 1963) — The 13th World Chess Champion, considered by many experts to be the greatest chess player of all time. He was born in Baku and began his brilliant career at the local Palace of Pioneers.
• Richard Sorge (1895–1944) — A legendary Soviet intelligence officer and Hero of the Soviet Union. He was born in the settlement of Sabunchu near Baku, and in the 1920s he lived and worked in the city, where an important stage of his formation took place. A monument to him is erected in Baku.