Baku's Architectural Jewels (Self Guided), Baku

Taza Pir Mosque (also Tazapir, Teze Pir, Teze-Pir, Tezepir) is a mosque in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was finished in 1914 and built in honour of the philanthropist.

Construction of the mosque was started in 1905 by architect Ziver bey Ahmadbeyov under the patronage of Nabat Khanum Ashurbayova. After the death of the patron, the construction was suspended. Soon, however, it resumed with the support of her son and was completed in 1914.

Only 3 years after opening the mosque was closed in connection with the October Revolution in 1917. Over the years the mosque functioned as a cinema and a barn, and since 1943 to present day - as a mosque. Akhund of the mosque is the Grand Mufti of the Caucasus Allahshukur Pashazadeh.

Interior of the mosque has an area of 1400 square meters and decorated with ornaments of painting schools of Azerbaijan plus with samples from eastern ornaments. The height of the dome and a half meters. The mihrab and dome of the mosque made of marble, while decorative elements of the mosque, the tops of minarets and labels are made of gold.

The Mukhtarov's Mansion is located in the centre of Istiglaliyyat Avenue (Independence Avenue). Built in the early 1910s by Azerbaijan oil millionaire Murtuza Mukhtarov, it was inspired by the magnate’s travels to Venice. Notable architected Jozef Ploshko designed this French Gothic edifice among a number of great buildings in the city.

Ismailiyya Palace is a historic building on Istiglaliyyat Street. Construction on the palace was completed in 1913. The Venetian Gothic building was constructed for the Muslim Charity Society with funding by Azerbaijani industrial oil magnate Musa Naghiyev. It was named in honor of Naghiyev's deceased son, Ismayil.

The palace was designed with inspiration from a palace in Switzerland. This inspiration was chosen by Naghiyev as he often saw the Swiss palace while visiting his son as he was undergoing treatments for his illness. Naghiyev sent architect Józef Plośko to Switzerland for three years so he could study the building while drawing up plans for the palace.

The palace has carved, golden letters on the facade that show its intent for the Muslim Charity Society. It also has a stone statue surrounded by angels. The angels were meant to represent the grandchildren that Naghiyev would have had if his son had survived his illness.

Ismailiyya Palace currently serves as the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan.

Shirvanshahs Palace is a 15th-century palace in Baku's Inner City. The palace complex includes the main building, the burial vaults, the shah's mosque, a mausoleum, a gate, a reservoir and the ruins of a bath house and an ancient mosque.

The palace was built under the orders of Shirvan Khalil I in 1435. Inscriptions on his tomb and the mosque minaret show that the palace was completed sometime between 1436 and 1442. It is believed that the construction was based on the designs of the Shirvan-Absheron architectural school.

The palace was once surrounded by a wall with towers. It also once had rooms for court servants. Though none of the walls or service areas remain, remnants of the construction have been uncovered by archaeologists.

Shirvanshahs Palace was declared a museum-preserve in 1964. Restoration work on the palace began in 1992. In 2000, the palace was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with Maiden Tower, the palace was the first area in Azerbaijan to hold the World Heritage Site distinction.

This magnificent palace is one of the finest old buildings in all of Baku. It was built at the turn of the 20th Century by Azerbaijani oil magnate and philanthropist Isabey Hajinski. There is an obelisk on the site dedicated to former French president Charles de Gaulle, who stayed at the palace.

The Baku Business Centre is a brand new building located within a national park on the main city boulevard. This three-story modern building features almost 5,000 square metres of floor space for commerce and exhibitions. Its soft outline and arched entryway give this contemporary centre an Islamic flair.

The Government House of Baku, also known as House of Government, is a government building housing various state ministries of Azerbaijan. It is located on Neftchiler Avenue and faces the Baku Boulevard. The rear side of the building faces busy Uzeyir Hajibeyov Street of central Baku. Government House was designed for 5,500 people.

In 1934, the Soviet authorities announced a tender for construction of Baku Soviet Palace (later renamed to Government House). The competition was won by well known architects Lev Rudnev, V.O. Munts and K. Tkachenko. With some alterations to the project, the building of the Government House was built in 1936 — 1952.

The building housed many organizations and business firms after restoration of Azerbaijani independence in 1991. In 2006, the government of Azerbaijan started renovation works of the building and completed the project in 2010.