Baku is the largest metropolis in Transcaucasia. One of Baku’s most famous displays to the tourist is the Petroglyphs – the drawings on rock done by ancient man in the Bronze Age civilization. Ichari Shahar is the nucleus of the capital – it is among those areas in the country (as well as in the Middle East) that have been continuously inhabited for the longest periods of time. It is a very popular area – alleys and streets, caravan stops comprise this "Acropolis of Baku". You will enjoy a birds eyeview of the city from the Maiden’s Tower – a 12^th Century construction eight stories high. An interesting bit of trivia about the place – it’s walls are 5 meters in thickness.

Another beautiful piece of architecture is the Palace of the Shirvan Shahs. This 15th century building is all domes and arches, heavy mosaic and stonework – typically Muslim architecture.

If you want to know just why Azerbaijani textiles are famous visit the Museum of Carpets & Applied Art. There is a variety of Azerbaijani carpets, jewellery, embroidery, metallurgy and woodwork. For a peek into the past walk a few blocks north east of the Inner City to The Azerbaijani History Museum. It features an archaeology section with petroglyphs and other artifacts.  

The Atashgah Temple, which means the Temple of the Fireworshippers, has been a religious fulcrum for civilizations both past and present. The name is also based on the fact that because of a high concentration of oil and natural gas in the area the ground erupts into flames spontaneously. That is also the reason why Azerbaijan is called the Land of Fires or Odlar Yourdu. The temple’s name Atashgah Temple translates into Home of Fire. The structure you’ll see was built around the 17^th century. Atashgah Temple is a part of a larger complex of religious buildings and is located in the villlage of Surakhany, 20 km (12mi) out to the northeast of Baku. Flames, fed by the subterranean natural gas deposits burn bright in to mark every corner of the roof. The temples walls have Sanskrit and Hindi inscriptions. This and the onion shaped dome indicate the temple and the fire worship practised here were greatly influenced by Indian culture.

Emblems of ancient cultures are the several medieval castles. You can visit the ones at Ramana and at Nardaran. These are from as far back as the time of Shirvan shahs in the 14th century and were built for reasons of defence. You could also visit the carpet factory at Nardaran.There are the remains of old oil mines at Ramana. Mardakyany has a botanical garden and a mosque dating back to the 15th century mosque.  

Located 65 km (40mi) to the south of Baku, Gobustan is an open air-museum with neolithic drawings on rock surfaces. The 4000 odd inscriptions were drawn about 12,000 years ago.

Stone Age drawings depict our cave-dwelling forefathers posing in loincloth, hunting or dancing at rituals. It might be, as legend says, that they danced to the tune of the Gaval-Dashy – a rock that emanates a deep, sonorous sound when you strike it.  

Azerbaijan does have a few attractions for the outdoors person –you can go hiking around parts of Baku and in the Apsheron Peninsula. Swimming, soaking in oil, hot springs or mud (the kind with medicinal powers) is a popular time-spend here. If you like bird watching, well you have lots to keep your eyes occupied – the country has 350 species of birds. You’ll spot most of them south of the Lenkoran.

Getting There: There are flights from Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Moscow and other Russian cities to Baku. Trains run from Tbilisi in Georgia to Baku.

Accommodation in the shape of middle rung and budget hotels is available in the city.