Nizami Museum of Azerbaijan Literature, Baku

The National Museum of Azerbaijan Literature, named after the celebrated Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, is a cultural cornerstone located in Baku. Established on November 1, 1939, this museum marks the commemoration of Nizami Ganjavi's 800th anniversary. Situated strategically near the entrance of Icheri Sheher and close to Fountains Square, the museum operates in a historical building that dates back to 1850, originally constructed as a caravanserai.

Throughout its history, the building has undergone numerous transformations-initially expanding to serve as the "Metropol" hotel in 1915, then housing the workers of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic's Cabinet of Ministers during 1918-1920, followed by the labor union Soviet of Azerbaijan in the subsequent decade. Architects Sadikh Dadashov and Mikayil Huseynov substantially overhauled the building by the late 1930s, adding distinctive sculptures to its façade and reconfiguring the interior space under the design direction of Letif Kerimov.

The museum proudly preserves and showcases the rich tapestry of Azerbaijani culture and literature through its extensive collection of over 120,000 items, including over 3,000 manuscripts, rare books, illustrations, portraits, sculptures, miniatures, and personal memorabilia of poets. With a total area of 2,500 square meters, the museum has 30 main and 10 auxiliary halls, where up to 25,000 exhibits can be displayed at any given time following extensive renovations in the early 2000s, notably enhanced by a significant investment of 13 million manats authorized by President Ilham Aliyev.

Prominent pieces in the museum's collection include the 1413 Persian manuscript of Nizami's "Eskandar Nameh," Fuzuli's "Bangu Bada" from 1569, and Mirza Fatali Akhundov's "The Eastern poem about Pushkin’s decease." These exhibits, among others, play a crucial role in the museum's mission to conduct scholarly research, publish significant works on Azerbaijani literature and culture, and present dynamic exhibitions that attract visitors and scholars alike.