The Main Palace, the centerpiece of the Shirvanshah Palace Complex, is majestically situated on the terrace of the upper hill, commanding a prominent position at its pinnacle. This structure is not only the oldest within the complex but also the largest in both volume and area. Construction of the palace took place between 1435 and 1442, resulting in a two-story edifice comprising approximately fifty rooms interconnected by three narrow spiral staircases.
The entrance to the palace is marked by a grand portal, designed in a strict architectural style that eschews excessive ornamentation. From this entrance, a staircase ascends directly to the second floor, leading into a high-ceilinged octagonal hall crowned by a dome. Adjacent to this hall is another octagonal lobby, which serves as a vital link to the other rooms within the palace. Of the original 25 rooms on the second floor, only 16 have survived the passage of time. The ground floor, which consists of 27 rooms intended for servants and storage, has remarkably retained its original condition.
Constructed from light “sunny” stone, specifically Absheron limestone, the buildings of the complex exhibit a unique aesthetic. Over time, the originally milky-white limestone has developed an ochre-golden hue due to the dressing process. The walls of the palace are made from stones of varying sizes, yet the Azerbaijani builders of the 15th century crafted them with such meticulous skill that the joints of the brickwork are nearly imperceptible.
In a remarkable adaptation to local conditions, even the patterned windows were fashioned from stone, as timber was scarce. This has led to the Shirvan Dynasty Palace Complex being referred to as the “stone wonder” and a “masterpiece in stone.” The classic, austere forms, along with the pastel colors of the smooth wall surfaces, the intricate shebeke patterns of the upper windows, and the 22 slit windows of the ground floor, collectively contribute to the building’s distinctive expressiveness, setting it apart from other palatial structures in the region.
A fascinating revelation has recently come to light regarding the frieze of the building, which conceals the identity of the palace architect, Memar-Ali. Between a carved canonical saying about the Day of Judgment and the name of the ruler, Shah Khalleluja I, lies the name of Memar-Ali, cleverly hidden within a teardrop-shaped medallion. This name can only be deciphered through a mirror reflection, a clever form of encryption. The reason for this secrecy? Memar-Ali had the audacity to place his name above that of the Shah, a bold act that could have cost him his life had the Shah discovered it.
As the palace was being constructed, no one could have foreseen its tumultuous fate. In 1501, the palace fell victim to the looting by the Safavids, who carried away the treasures of the Shirvan Dynasty, including armor, jewelry, carpets, luxurious fabrics, rare books, and silver and gold utensils, transporting them to Tabriz. Following their defeat by Turkish armies, these treasures eventually became trophies for the Turks. Today, many of these invaluable artifacts are housed in museum collections across Turkey, Iran, England, France, Russia, and Hungary.
The Palace of the Shirvan Dynasty endured further hardships during the bombardment by Peter I’s fleet, as well as assaults from Persian and Russian armies in 1806. After Baku became part of the Russian Empire, the palace fell into the hands of the military department for nearly a century. The second-floor halls were repurposed into barracks, while the lower rooms were transformed into stables and artillery storage. The domes suffered destruction, walls were dismantled, windows bricked up, and the ornate stone lattices were broken. The exquisite light-blue glazed mosaics that adorned the canopies and domes were also lost to time.
Today, the palace serves as a history and architectural museum, housing one of the richest collections in Baku, allowing visitors to appreciate the grandeur and historical significance of this architectural marvel.