Shirvanshahs Palace, Baku

Shirvanshahs Palace is a 15th-century palace complex arranged across several descending courtyards. Enter the upper courtyard, on the north side, where the main palace building stands directly ahead, the Divankhana. From here, descend into the middle courtyard on the south side of the complex, where you will find the octagonal mausoleum of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi. In front of it are the remains of the Key-Kubad Mosque, while Murad’s Gate stands at the eastern edge of the complex. Continue down to the lower courtyard to reach the royal burial vault and the Shah’s Mosque, easily recognized by its slender minaret.

The complex was built during the reign of Shirvanshah Khalilullah I, after Baku became the political center of the Shirvanshah state. The individual buildings were constructed at different times during the 15th century. Inscriptions on the royal tomb and the minaret of the Shah’s Mosque date these structures to the period between 1435 and 1442. The ensemble is an important example of the Shirvan-Absheron architectural school.

The palace once occupied a larger area and included rooms for court servants and other service buildings. Although many of these structures no longer survive, archaeological excavations have uncovered remains beneath and around the existing complex.

In 1964, the palace complex was declared a state historical and architectural museum-preserve. A new phase of restoration began in 1992, starting with the throne hall. In 2000, the palace became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site officially known as the Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah’s Palace and Maiden Tower, the first property in Azerbaijan to receive World Heritage status.