The residents of Russia come to the capital of Azerbaijan for various purposes. For some it is a business trip, someone intends to spend a vacation here, someone wants to get acquainted with the local sights. There are a lot of them here. And among them the museums of Baku occupy a special place. Try to take the time to look at at least a few of them. It is here that you can learn a lot of interesting things about the past of the Azerbaijani people, about its cultural traditions. You will see archaeological finds, exhibits dating back to the Middle Ages, to the periods of modern and recent history. Numerous expositions will allow you to fully appreciate the rich past of Azerbaijan.
Modern Art Museum
It opened relatively recently - in 2009. It was built on the initiative of Heydar Aliyev's wife Mehriban. The author of the project was the Azerbaijani Altai Sadikh-zade, who turned the building itself into a work of art in the avant-garde style. The main principle is freedom and absence of restrictions. It features works by the great masters of the 20th century such as Dali and Picasso.
But the collection is based on the works of Azerbaijani artists and sculptors of the second half of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Most of them also worked in the avant-garde style. Also presented is "unknown" art - paintings by artists whose names are hardly familiar to the general public. There is also a restaurant and a cafe, very original decorated.
Personal exhibitions of painters are held, an exposition of children's works is open. Art books can be borrowed from the library, and the store has many paintings for sale. The video room often hosts lectures, presentations and other events. Open daily, except Monday, from 11 am to 8 pm.
National Museum of History of Azerbaijan
At first, back in 1920, it was only a small department at the Commissariat of Education. The official opening took place in 1921. Since 1969, this cultural institution has solely owned the famous Tagiyev's mansion. What can you see here? Thousands of artifacts. True, not all of them are on display. Most are kept in storerooms. Archaeological finds telling about the distant past of the Azerbaijani land, ancient coins, weapons, exhibits telling about the Middle Ages, as well as about the period of modern and recent history.
The collection is constantly updated. Jewelry and other gold items dating back to the 4th millennium BC were transferred here. Here you can learn a lot of interesting things about the development of science and culture, agriculture and various crafts. The museum-apartment of the patron Tagiyev is also arranged here - you can see the furnishings of the rooms and personal belongings. Open every day, except Sunday, from 11 am to 6 pm.
Azerbaijan Carpet Museum
The building already attracts attention from a distance. I would like to come up and take a closer look. The fact is that the architect gave it the shape of a rolled-up carpet. For the Azerbaijani people, their craftsmen, carpets from time immemorial have been not just a decoration of the house, but also a way of self-expression. This cultural institution was opened in 1967, and since then it has changed premises several times. The construction of the current building began in 2008 by order of Ilham Aliyev.
The exposition opened in a new place 6 years later. During the work of the museum, its exhibits managed to visit Europe, Asia, America. And everywhere they aroused admiration. So, there are even carpets woven in the 17th and 18th centuries. In addition to carpets, there are many other exhibits in the funds: dishes, jewelry, national costumes, household items made of metal, weapons. You can also clearly see how the craftsmen worked, how carpets were created.
It is better to come here not as an independent excursionist, but to book an excursion - it is during it that you will be introduced to all the intricacies of carpet weaving, will tell you about techniques and ornaments. Employees of this institution have repeatedly taken part in major international symposia dedicated to Azerbaijani carpets. Visitors can view the expositions every day, except Mondays, from 10 to 20 hours.
Museum of Azerbaijani Literature
Founded back in 1939, to the 800th anniversary of the poet Nizami Ganjavi. It is located in the city center, in the building of a former 19th century caravanserai. The facade is decorated with 8 sculptures of poets and writers. There is also a statue of a woman among them. This is Natavan Khurshidbanu, she lived in the 19th century and wrote poetry. The last modernization was carried out here in 2005. This allowed exhibiting up to 25 thousand items of the fund. The manuscript of Nizami's poem, written at the beginning of the 15th century, is kept here.
Guests can see both handwritten works of Azerbaijani poets and prose writers, as well as their archives, letters, illustrations for works, autographs. Even miniatures illustrating ancient manuscripts are kept here. I am glad that there is also a bookstore here, where you can buy books in many languages, including Russian. Open daily, except Sunday, from 11 am to 5 pm.
Museum Center
Located near Primorsky Boulevard. Formerly it was called a branch of the Central Lenin Museum. It was opened to visitors in 1955. In 1961 he moved to a new building. More than 110 thousand exhibits related to the life of Lenin and revolutionaries, from the Soviet period of history were kept here. The modern name "Museum Center" appeared after the collapse of the USSR. Today the center unites the Museum of Musical Culture, the Museum of Independence and the Theater Museum. The Art Gallery is also open here. The center cooperates with cultural institutions of the countries of Europe and America.
It hosts major events, international conferences, seminars, symposia. The Art Gallery constantly hosts exhibitions of paintings, photographs, here you can see the works of famous artists. The most important events take place in the Round Hall, which is located under the dome. Official receptions are replaced by presentations, international agreements are signed here, fashion designers demonstrate new collections. Souvenirs can be purchased on the ground floor.
Heydar Aliyev Center
Probably one of the most popular places in Baku. How could it be otherwise, if in 2014 the building was recognized as the most beautiful in the world. It is noteworthy that the author of the project is a woman, the famous architect Zaha Hadid. She gave the Heydar Aliyev Center the shape of a wave going into the sky. This symbolizes the connection between the past and the future. In general, both the external appearance of the building and the internal premises are characterized by a postmodern style.
Be sure to go to the center, walk around its floors. There are excellent conference rooms and exhibitions where you can get an idea of the country's cultural heritage. The guests are greatly interested in the models of the sights of Azerbaijan - from the old Maiden Tower to the modern Government House.
The center also houses the Heydar Aliyev Museum (in addition to photos and videos, there are cars that belonged to the head of the country), a restaurant and cafe, various offices and exhibition halls. It is interesting to see the exposition of photographs, which show natural sights and places associated with the history of Azerbaijan.
Independence Museum
It appeared relatively recently - in January 1991. However, today there are already more than 22 thousand. copies. The purpose of this cultural institution is to reflect the struggle of the people for gaining independence. The Azerbaijanis had to defend their interests for many centuries. The people's liberation movement also took place in the first half of the 20th century, when, during the Stalin personality cult, many sons and daughters of the Azerbaijani people were arrested, shot, imprisoned in camps, and exiled.Exhibits related to the recent history of the country, the life and activities of its leader, Heydar Aliyev, are also presented.
Here you can see documents and photographs, books and paintings, coins and personal belongings, sculptures and maps. The employees of the cultural center are actively working. Thematic exhibitions are constantly unfolding, Open Doors Days are held. There is a circle "We are the heirs of independence", which children willingly attend, gaining new knowledge and performing exciting tasks. It will be interesting for everyone who is not indifferent to history. Open daily, except Mondays, from 9 am to 6 pm.
Museum of Archeology and Ethnography
It was opened in 1976 and bears the name of M. Huseynov. The exposition is very interesting. In the halls dedicated to ethnography, you will see things and objects that allow you to clearly imagine how Azerbaijanis lived in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Clothes, gold and silver jewelry, household items - all this is very colorful. Archaeological finds reflecting the life of people in ancient times, in the Middle Ages, are no less interesting. The sites of the first representatives of mankind, the primitive tools of labor of farmers, material evidence of the development of cattle breeding, grave monuments - all this will give visitors a complete picture.
You can also see the works of the first artists here. The guide will tell you how people ran their household, what ideas about religion and moral principles they developed, how women and men dressed, what coins were in use. In 2008, restoration was carried out in the halls, and now over 2 thousand exhibits are available for inspection. The exhibition of gold products is of particular interest.
Museum of Medicine
It was officially opened in early 1986. Here you can trace the history of the development of medicine in the country from ancient times to the present day. The collection is updated all the time. Here you can see photographs and videos, books and documents, tools used by doctors. Personal belongings of famous doctors, medicines, pharmaceutical devices are presented. A bust of the great physician Abu Ali ibn Sina "welcomes" the guests. The surgical instruments used by doctors in the Middle Ages are impressive.
Copies of old medical treatises, photographs and documents relating to the period of the establishment of medical institutions in Azerbaijan at the beginning of the 20th century - all this deserves attention. Guests will learn a lot of interesting things about the history of the university in Baku and students of the medical faculty, about the opening of the medical university. And finally, about the tremendous work and its impressive results, carried out by health workers under the leadership of Ilham Aliyev.
Stone Chronicle Museum
It is located on the State Flag Square, and opened its doors in 2015. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation was directly involved in its creation. The building used to belong to a station that supplied electricity to the oil fields. Today, very interesting exhibits are collected here. Many of them were brought from Azerbaijani reserves.
You can also see the creations of the sculptor Huseyn Khagverdi here. Samples of stone sculpture are beautiful, but not only are they collected here. There are also many household items that have been used in Azerbaijani families for centuries. Also collected are the original inscriptions on the tombstones, which provide important information about the division of society by the class. Traditions come to life here, and this will interest everyone who is fond of history. Open daily, except Mondays, from 10 am to 8 pm. The visit is free.
House-Museum of Samed Vurgun
The poet and playwright died early, he was only 50 years old, but Samed Vurgun was destined to fully feel the love of the Azerbaijani people. Within the walls of this house, he spent his last years, worked hard here. Guests will see the poet's study, his writing desk. Samed Vurgun always put on a suit before sitting down to write. By this he emphasized responsibility before work. The poet's library is also kept here. Samad's hobby was hunting. Tourists will be able to see his gun and bandolier. You can also get acquainted in detail with the biography of the poet.
See photographs that tell about his childhood and adolescence. Personal items deserve special attention - a watch, a cigarette case, a hairbrush. Collected letters to his beloved wife Haver - from the first, which the young Samed wrote to the 16-year-old beauty, to the last, where he turns to his wife, already being seriously ill. There is also Haver's wedding ring. Guests will see the clock, the hands of which are stopped at half past seven - this is the time when the poet passed away, and the death mask of Samed Vurgun. Free admission.
House-Museum of Uzeyir Hajibeyov
It was opened in 1975. The great Azerbaijani composer lived in this house for almost three decades - from 1915 to 1942. Memories of people who came to visit the Hajibeyovs have been preserved. Friends of the composer said that there were always many flowers in the yard, and Uzeyir's wife, Melikya, served delicious homemade sweets to the table. The rooms contain personal belongings of Hajibeyov and his family members, photographs, letters, archives.
You can see the sheet music of the pieces of music that Uzeyir worked on. The exposition is regularly updated. Guests will be able to feel the atmosphere that prevailed in the composer's house during his lifetime, as well as learn a lot of interesting information regarding his biography. On the 120th anniversary of the composer - this date Azerbaijan celebrated in 2005 - the house was overhauled.
House-Museum of Jafar Jabbarli
This house has a difficult fate. A famous Azerbaijani playwright lived here. The museum was opened in 1982, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Jafar Jabbarli. Later, a prize was established in his name. Among the exhibits are photographs and documents, personal belongings, posters, stage models, gifts from famous people. In the spring of 2019, the topic of demolition began to be discussed. It turned out that the house was significantly dilapidated. Its condition worsened and the construction, which was carried out in this part of the city. Cracks began to appear along the foundation and walls of the house. In 2010, the exhibits were moved to the Theater Museum for storage.
It was assumed that the house would be demolished, and a new one was built in its place - the same. However, it turned out that the writer's relatives privatized this land plot back in 1998. Then they sold it to a construction company. Now a multi-storey residential building will be erected here, and the museum will be equipped on its ground floor. The collected exhibits will be transferred here. So everyone can get to know the life of a playwright.
Farhouse Neon Art Museum
To visit this unusual place, you have to make a short trip. Farhouse is located in the village of Novkhan, just over 20 km from Baku. It is best to come here in the evening, when it gets dark. The whole house shines with neon light both outside and inside. Moreover, the ornaments are made in 3D technology. The building can be seen from afar, you don't have to ask the locals how to get there.
It is worth visiting one of the events that take place here. Lectures, exhibitions, master classes, yoga classes ... Here you can see famous designers, artists, writers, poets, sculptors, specialists in spiritual practices. On the ground floor, you can linger in the lounge area, drink herbal tea, listen to music. This place is so unusual and memorable that many guests tend to come back here again and again. Farhouse is open daily from 5 pm to 10 pm.
State Historical and Ethnographic Reserve "Gala"
This is a whole complex, which includes: museums of archeology and ethnography, a castle and antiques.
When arriving here, it is best to take the help of a guide. You will be told about interesting exhibits in Russian. The territory of the complex is huge - about one and a half hectares.You will see drawings of primitive people, ceramics, various objects that were used by the first inhabitants of these lands, ornaments.
The remains of settlements are also of great interest - people lived here even before our era. Numerous exhibits tell about the history of the Middle Ages. Buildings and tents, a forge and workshops, even underground passages - all this will appear before you. If you are going to the reserve, be sure to take your children with you. Even if you do not have time to visit all these museums, you can visit the ones that interest you the most.
