The Maiden Tower, known in Azerbaijani as “Qız Qalası” and in English as “Maiden Tower Baku,” is an ancient fortress structure that rises majestically on a cliff in the coastal area of the Old City, known as Icheri Sheher, in Baku. This iconic tower is a symbol of Azerbaijan’s capital and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Standing at a height of 28 meters (92 feet), it serves as a striking landmark within Icheri Sheher. Interestingly, since the Caspian Sea lies 28 meters below sea level, the base of the Maiden Tower is at water level, meaning that when you stand atop the tower, you are effectively at sea level.
Surrounded by a fortified wall featuring semi-circular protrusions, this unique structure has no parallels in the East. Today, the Maiden Tower functions as a museum, complete with an observation deck at the top that offers panoramic views of the city.
Interestingly, several countries also have structures named “Maiden Tower.” In medieval times, towers that remained unconquered were referred to as “maiden,” implying a connotation of purity or virginity.
Since 2010, the Maiden Tower has been the venue for an annual international art festival, where artists create designs for the tower. During the 2012 festival, projections of previous years’ artistic designs were displayed on the surface of the Maiden Tower.
There is no unanimously accepted version regarding the purpose and origin of the Maiden Tower, leading to various legends associated with it. One such tale suggests that Saint Bartholomew, one of Jesus’ apostles, met his demise near the tower’s walls. According to legend, upon arriving in Baku in the 1st century, Bartholomew preached Christianity, but the pagan tribes rejected this faith and executed him.
Many of the legends surrounding the Maiden Tower stem from the word “maiden,” with the most popular tale involving a Shah and his daughter. The Shah intended to marry her off to a man she did not love; in some versions, the Shah himself wished to marry his daughter. She implored her father to construct a tower and postpone the wedding until its completion, hoping this would change his mind. However, once the tower was finished, the young woman ascended it and threw herself into the sea. The rock where she perished was dubbed the “virgin’s stone,” and brides would bring flowers to it. In another version of the story, the girl had a lover who killed the Shah out of grief for her death. However, it turned out she had not perished; she was saved by mermaids, and from then on, the lovers were never apart.
The narrative of the daughter inspired the first film produced in the USSR in Azerbaijan, and it also served as the basis for the first Azerbaijani ballet created in 1940. Writers have dedicated poems and verses to the Maiden Tower throughout history.
A stone plaque inscribed in ancient Arabic script, dating back to the 12th century, is mounted on the tower. This date was traditionally regarded as the time of the tower’s construction. However, research has shown that the plaque was integrated into the tower much later and was affixed rather clumsily, not above the main entrance, where there was previously a small window or niche. Some scholars, analyzing the mortar used in the tower’s construction, suggest it was built in the 1st century, while others, based on the stone’s age, date it to the 9th century.
There are also theories suggesting that the tower became part of the city’s defensive system in the 12th century and served as a fortress. However, its location, structure, and shape do not seem suitable for defensive purposes.
More plausible theories propose that the tower had a cultic or religious significance. For instance, it may have been a Zoroastrian structure. This ancient religion features similar burial structures known as “Towers of Silence” or “dakhmas.” Atop these towers, the bodies of the deceased were left for vultures to consume. Thus, the prevailing opinion is that the Maiden Tower was constructed during the pre-Islamic period.
Later, the Maiden Tower served as a lighthouse; initially, a fortress flag was raised on it, and by the mid-19th century, a light was installed. However, in 1907, the lighthouse was relocated as the lights of Baku began to blend with the illumination of the tower itself.
Architecturally, the Maiden Tower reflects the Shirvan-Absheron school of design. It boasts a cylindrical shape that tapers toward the top, complemented by an attached protrusion. Inside, the tower is divided into eight tiers, each capped with flat stone domes, and interconnected by spiral staircases. Notably, the first tier features a temporary staircase that can be easily removed, which some visitors find challenging to navigate due to its steepness.
Light filters through narrow, slit-like windows strategically placed along the staircase, suggesting a possible connection to sun worship. Scholars have observed that on the day of the winter solstice, sunlight streams through the central window and illuminates the higher windows in a specific pattern. Additionally, the second to seventh tiers feature semicircular drainage channels.
Inside the tower, a museum showcases artifacts and archaeological finds. Visitors can explore virtual books detailing the legends of the Maiden Tower and view a model of Baku from centuries past. The tower can accommodate up to 200 visitors and houses a deep well capable of supplying water to its inhabitants. The precise purpose of the protrusion on the eastern side of the tower remains a mystery; it has yet to be definitively identified as a buttress, hiding place, or reflector.
The exterior of the Maiden Tower is equally captivating, characterized by a ribbed surface created by alternating protruding rows during its construction. Originally, the top of the tower featured battlements for defense, which were removed during a restoration in the 19th century. This unique architectural style not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also serves as a testament to the ingenuity of its builders.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Ticket Prices: 2 Manats for locals, 15 Manats for foreign tourists.