The Walled City of Baku, locally known as Icherisheher, represents the historical core of the capital and stands as an outstanding example of medieval architecture. Enclosed by 12th-century defensive walls, the city features a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets that were strategically designed to mitigate the harsh winds of the Caspian Sea. The site houses monuments of universal value, most notably the Maiden Tower (Qız Qalası), a cylindrical structure dating back to the 12th century and built upon earlier foundations, and the 15th-century Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Reflecting the continuity of history, the site reveals layers of cultural presence ranging from the Palaeolithic Period through the Zoroastrian, Sasanian, Arabic, Shirvani and Ottoman eras.
Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshahs’ Palace and Maiden Tower
Baku’s Historic Centre2000