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.