The Nardaran Fortress (Azerbaijani: Nardaran qalası) was constructed in 1301 by the architect Mahmud ibn Saad, situated in the northern part of the Absheron Peninsula. Located 25 kilometers north of Baku, the fortress lies within the village of Nardaran, not far from the city of Mashtaga. The Shirvanshahs utilized this fortress for both surveillance and defense purposes. Close to the fortress, approximately 200 meters away, stands the Nardaran Mosque, also known as the Rahimakhanym Sanctuary, which was built in 1663.
On October 24, 2001, Nardaran Fortress was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, highlighting its urgent need for protection. The fortress is divided into three distinct sections, with the first section elevated above the others. The thickness of the walls ranges from 1.5 to 1.8 meters. Within the first floor of the tower, there is a deep well, and some sources suggest that the fortress was equipped with an underground sewage system.
Above the entrance to the central tower, at the level of the second floor, two stone inscriptions are carved into the wall. The latter inscription reveals the name of the master who also constructed the old mosque and minaret in the village of Shikhov in the 14th century, as well as the mosque in Baku known as the “Molla-Akhmed Mosque,” which dates back to 1300.
The tower stands three tiers high, topped with flat stone domes and connected by stone staircases. Built from white stones, the tower reaches a height of 12 meters, while the surrounding walls vary in height. The fortress is centered within a square courtyard, featuring four corner towers equipped with barriers and arrow slits.
Local stone was utilized in the construction of Nardaran Fortress, and the condition of the masonry indicates that it has undergone several renovations over the years. The tower’s structure is made of hewn stone arranged in even rows, separated by thin joints. In contrast, the fortress walls were constructed using roughly hewn stones of various sizes, some of which were even chipped.
Many scholars continue to debate the necessity of building a fort in this region of the Absheron Peninsula. Historically, attacks predominantly occurred from the western border or the southeastern coast; however, this fortress is equidistant from both areas.
Today, Nardaran Fortress is recognized as an architectural monument of historical and cultural significance on a global scale, with an official museum housed within its walls.
How to Reach Nardaran Fortress?
Nardaran Fortress is located in the northern part of the Absheron Peninsula, bordered by the Caspian Sea, and is situated 27 kilometers from Baku. This distance can be easily covered by bus or car. From the capital’s Koroğlu station, you can take bus number 189, which will transport you to your destination in approximately one hour.