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 Russian Orthodox Church of Archangel Michael is the oldest church in Baku. Constructed in the 19th Century by marine officials, it was originally named the Naval Church. It even had a prayer hall in the shape of a boat deck. Today the church stands as a fantastic example of Russian Orthodox architecture, with its original gilded decorations still in place as well as many wonderful religious artworks along its walls.

While most of Baku’s mosques were built in medieval or pre-medieval times, others were erected at the turn of the 19th Century, including the Qasim Bey Mosque. Financed by a private citizen, this large mosque boasts a beautiful blue dome among many interesting architectural features. It’s one of the most frequented mosques in the city, especially among young Muslims.

The St. Gregory the Illuminator's Church is a disused Armenian Apostolic church in downtown Baku. Built as long ago as 1887, it survived the radical secular age of Sovietization. Unlike many places of worship that were demolished throughout the Soviet Union in the 1920s and the 1930s, this church remained standing and services for the local Armenian community continued. The church stayed open right up to 1990, when during the exodus of the Armenian population from Azerbaijan as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, it was closed down. Fortunately the church library and its 5,000 books and manuscripts have been preserved, and the building has undergone a recent restoration.

The Lezgi Mosque is one of the oldest mosques – indeed, building of any kind – in the city. Located in Baku’s Old Town district, it stands today as a religious, historical and cultural landmark of Azerbaijan. It is thought to have been built by Najaf Ashour, son of Ibrahim, in around 1169. Then known as Ashour’s mosque, it got its current name in 1920. Today a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, it regularly draws worshippers from all over the city.

The Mosque Juma, or Friday Mosque, is a late 19th Century building erected by a local wealthy man. It sits on a site that is thought to have been the location of an ancient temple of fire worshippers. The current mosque stands out both for its cone-shaped dome and colorful ornamented tiles. The minaret which adjoins the mosque has been in place since 1437, and today represents an excellent example of traditional Azerbaijan architecture.

This building is a very important cultural and historical monument of Azerbaijan. The Muhhamad Mosque was the first Islamic building of any kind erected in Baku. Located in the city’s Old Town district, the mosque’s inscription says it was constructed by Muhammad, the son of Abu-Bakr, in 1078-1079.

The Palace of the Shirvanshahs is a massive complex from the Middle Ages that includes a palace, mosque, mausoleum and gates. The Palace Mosque (from the 1430s) is situated in the lower court of the complex. It has two chapels for prayer for men and women, as well as a tall minaret. There is an inscription on the minaret which reads, "The greatest Soltan Khalilullah I ordered to build this minaret. May Allah exalt the days of his governing and reign. The year of 845" (1441-1442).