Funded by philanthropist Nabat khanum Ashurbeily, this mosque was built in the early 1900s based on a design by architect Ziver bek Akhmedbekov. Unusually, it was used as both a cinema and a warehouse in the first half of the 20th Century before again serving as a mosque since 1947. The interior of Teze Pir Mosque is beautifully decorated with Azerbaijani artistry, including rare oriental ornamentation. The mosque also features a marble dome, gold-topped minarets and a women’s prayer room made of pistachio.

The Mukhtarov's Mansion is located in the centre of Istiglaliyyat Avenue (Independence Avenue). Built in the early 1910s by Azerbaijan oil millionaire Murtuza Mukhtarov, it was inspired by the magnate’s travels to Venice. Notable architected Jozef Ploshko designed this French Gothic edifice among a number of great buildings in the city.

The Magomayev Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall is the country’s main orchestral venue. Built in 1912, the hall was designed by architect Gavril Ter-Mikelov with an Italian Renaissance exterior and German Rococo interior. Wealthy citizens of Baku attended the hall in its early days for society banquets and entertainment. Later it gained a wider audience among the people of Baku. It reopened in 2004 after an extensive restoration that lasted eight years.

The Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences is the country’s most important scientific center. It is located in the beautiful Palace Ismailiye, which was modeled on Venice’s Gothic d’Oro Palace. Islamic inscriptions are carved on its façade in huge golden letters. Designed by Jozef Ploshko, the center opened in 1913.

The Palace of the Shirvanshahs is a significant historical monument of Baku. The complex contains the main palace building, Divanhane, the burial-vaults, the shah's mosque and minaret, Seyid Yahya Bakuvi's mausoleum, Murad's gate, a reservoir and the remnants of the bath-house. The main building of this extensive old complex was started all the way back in 1411 by Shirvanshah Sheykh Ibrahim I. The area is well worth a visit for its many interesting architectural features.

This magnificent palace is one of the finest old buildings in all of Baku. It was built at the turn of the 20th Century by Azerbaijani oil magnate and philanthropist Isabey Hajinski. There is an obelisk on the site dedicated to former French president Charles de Gaulle, who stayed at the palace.

The Baku Business Centre is a brand new building located within a national park on the main city boulevard. This three-story modern building features almost 5,000 square metres of floor space for commerce and exhibitions. Its soft outline and arched entryway give this contemporary centre an Islamic flair.

The Government House is a grand building on Baku’s quayside facing the Caspian Sea. Designed by architects L. Rudnev and V. Munz, it was completed in 1952. Like many other post-war buildings in Baku, German prisoners took part in its construction. A popular meeting spot for young people, the building looks especially attractive when illuminated at night.

The Akhundov Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre has an interesting back story. According to an urban legend, Daniel Mailov admired the voice of Nezhdanova so much he offered to build an opera house in her honor. The renowned soprano was the first person to perform at the new opera house. In 1916, the theatre acquired its first resident opera company before becoming a state theatre in 1920. In 1959, it received the status of an academic theatre. After a mysterious fire in 1985, the theatre was fully restored and reopened in 1987.

The Palace named after H. Aliyev is a former Republic Palace that was renamed in 2003. Built in the Soviet period, the building’s architecture is typical of those times. Today it is the largest music venue in all of Azerbaijan. Major public events like presidential inaugurations are also held here. Look out for the beautiful public garden with charming flowerbeds adjacent to the palace.