Azerbaijan State Museum of History, Baku
The Azerbaijan State Museum of History, located in Baku, is the largest in Azerbaijan. It is housed in the former residential mansion of the Azerbaijani oil magnate and philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. This grand building, often referred to as Taghiyev’s Palace, was constructed between 1895 and 1901 based on a design by Jozef Goslawski, a notable architect responsible for many significant structures in Baku.
The Italian Renaissance-style mansion spans an entire city block and includes up to four floors in some areas. Taghiyev's residence features two grand ballrooms on the second floor: one designed in a Mauritanian (Oriental) style with large plate glass windows, gilded arches, and ornate walls and ceilings; and another in a more rectangular, Occidental style.
The museum was established in 1920 after the Russian takeover of Baku and opened its doors to the public in 1921. The Taghiyev family resided in this opulent three-story building for 18 years, until 1920. Today, a dedicated house museum within the palace showcases nine rooms filled with the furniture and personal belongings of Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev and his family, offering visitors a glimpse into their lifestyle.
The museum's extensive collection comprises around 300,000 exhibits, spanning from ancient times to the present day. It is organized into six departments, displaying artifacts from various historical periods, including the Stone Age, the Middle Ages, and antiquity. The collection features items reflecting the material and cultural heritage of the states that existed on the territory of Azerbaijan, as well as artifacts from the Khanate period.
Notable exhibits include flags, symbolic keys of cities and fortresses, documents, clothing, and a vast numismatic fund containing over 150,000 coins and banknotes. These exhibits offer a comprehensive journey through the rich history of Azerbaijan, making the National Museum of History an essential destination for anyone interested in the region's past.
The Italian Renaissance-style mansion spans an entire city block and includes up to four floors in some areas. Taghiyev's residence features two grand ballrooms on the second floor: one designed in a Mauritanian (Oriental) style with large plate glass windows, gilded arches, and ornate walls and ceilings; and another in a more rectangular, Occidental style.
The museum was established in 1920 after the Russian takeover of Baku and opened its doors to the public in 1921. The Taghiyev family resided in this opulent three-story building for 18 years, until 1920. Today, a dedicated house museum within the palace showcases nine rooms filled with the furniture and personal belongings of Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev and his family, offering visitors a glimpse into their lifestyle.
The museum's extensive collection comprises around 300,000 exhibits, spanning from ancient times to the present day. It is organized into six departments, displaying artifacts from various historical periods, including the Stone Age, the Middle Ages, and antiquity. The collection features items reflecting the material and cultural heritage of the states that existed on the territory of Azerbaijan, as well as artifacts from the Khanate period.
Notable exhibits include flags, symbolic keys of cities and fortresses, documents, clothing, and a vast numismatic fund containing over 150,000 coins and banknotes. These exhibits offer a comprehensive journey through the rich history of Azerbaijan, making the National Museum of History an essential destination for anyone interested in the region's past.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Baku. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Azerbaijan State Museum of History on Map
Sight Name: Azerbaijan State Museum of History
Sight Location: Baku, Azerbaijan (See walking tours in Baku)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Sight Location: Baku, Azerbaijan (See walking tours in Baku)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Walking Tours in Baku, Azerbaijan
Create Your Own Walk in Baku
Creating your own self-guided walk in Baku is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Baku Introduction Walking Tour
Baku is the capital city of Azerbaijan. It is also the country's largest city with about 25 percent of the nation's population located here.
A city existed on the site of Baku since at least the 5th century ADE. The city at that time was called Bagavan. The first record of its modern name appeared in 938 when it was called Bakuh. The city was a domain of the Arab Caliphate, followed... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
A city existed on the site of Baku since at least the 5th century ADE. The city at that time was called Bagavan. The first record of its modern name appeared in 938 when it was called Bakuh. The city was a domain of the Arab Caliphate, followed... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Baku Old City Walking Tour
Baku's "Ichari Shahar" [pronounced ee-char-EE sha-HAR], which literally means Inner City, is also often referred to by foreigners as the Old City. This unique architectural preserve differs considerably from other ancient places in Azerbaijan and is replete with fascinating architectural monuments. The most prominent of them are the 12th-century, 97-foot Maiden Tower (the most... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Baku's Architectural Jewels
The city of Baku is an architectural marvel that delights with its historic buildings, grand mansions and cultural diversity. The Old City, for example, is full of fantastic old mosques and palaces that are listed as heritage monuments by UNESCO. The city is especially beautiful at night when it is wonderfully illuminated. Follow this self-guided walking tour to see the most impressive... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles