Azerbaijan is home to a remarkable array of castles built during ancient and medieval times, each promising to captivate even the least curious of visitors. Among these historical treasures is a quadrangular castle located in Mardakyan, constructed in the mid-12th century. This fortress served as both a refuge and a lookout point, playing a crucial role in the region’s defense.
The castle is designed in a rectangular shape and is comprised of five distinct levels, featuring six rooms in total. The inner courtyard measures 28 by 25 meters, while the tower reaches an impressive height of 22 meters. The tower’s thickness varies, measuring 2.1 meters at the base and tapering to 1.6 meters at the top. The castle boasts an intricate network of 76 staircases and houses 108 empty wells in the courtyard, which were historically used for food storage. Additionally, there is a 25-meter deep water well located at the entrance of the castle.
The exterior walls of the castle are constructed from rough-hewn stone, giving it a robust appearance. The tower is well-equipped for defense, featuring all necessary provisions for protection. Its battlements form a unique crown, and thanks to the high-quality construction, the castle has remarkably withstood the test of time.
Inside, the Mardakyan castle presents a stark contrast to medieval European fortresses. The fortifications in Absheron did not include expansive courtyards or residential and service areas; instead, these facilities were located outside the fortress walls. The castles in this region were primarily built for observation and defense rather than for permanent habitation.
There are claims that all the fortresses on the Absheron Peninsula are interconnected by underground passages, although thorough investigations into this theory have yet to be conducted. Within the fortress grounds, numerous wells, each three to four meters deep, can be found. Some speculate that these wells were also utilized for food storage. Visitors can explore a wealth of artifacts displayed throughout the castle grounds.
The 22-meter tower is easily visible in all its glory, and a walk along the castle walls provides a safe vantage point to appreciate its grandeur. Midway through the last century, the castle underwent restoration, ensuring that this exploration is completely secure!
The exhibits within the fortress showcase remnants of its former splendor, although most ancient artifacts have been relocated to the Gala Museum. Ascending the tower is not recommended for large groups, as the structure consists of several levels, and some wooden floors are partially degraded, requiring caution during your climb. From the top of the tower, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Mardakyan, which is referred to in Wikipedia as an urban-type settlement. However, Mardakyan is more than just a large village; its area is comparable to that of Baku itself.
The Round Tower (Azerbaijani: Dairəvi Mərdəkan qalası) is another significant castle located in Mardakyan, Baku, Azerbaijan. Locally, it is also known as the Shikh Fortress. Atop the tower’s gates, on a large rectangular stone slab, are three inscriptions written in Arabic. The first inscription indicates that the castle was constructed during the reign of Fariburz III. The second inscription reveals that the Round Fortress of Mardakyan was owned by Iḥsāq bin Kāqūlī and was built in 1232. The third inscription attributes the construction to the architect Abd al-Majid Masud oglu.
The height of the Round Tower of Mardakyan is 16 meters, built from limestone and lime mortar. The fortress surrounding the tower encompasses a square courtyard measuring 25 by 25 meters, enclosed by stone walls that rise seven meters high on each side. Towers, parapets, and watchtowers are strategically positioned at the corners of the fortress walls. The tower itself is circular in plan and tapers towards the top.
The tower’s height is divided into three sections, each crowned with domes and connected by an internal staircase. Special windows, designed to illuminate the second and third floors, expand outward in a narrow strip. The Round Tower served as a watchtower, strategically positioned closer to the sea to monitor the surroundings from its elevated vantage point, including views of the coastline. In the event of an enemy approach, torches would be lit atop the tower, alerting the village of impending danger. In response, the villagers would take refuge in the Quadrangular Castle, built in the 14th century as a primary defensive stronghold. This fortress housed storages for food, water, and weapons, enabling it to withstand enemy sieges, including a notable seven-month siege by the Mongol-Tatars. Today, visitors to the castle can observe various stone slabs adorned with intricate carvings and inscriptions