I’ve checked out what I consider the most interesting museum spots in Baku, and I’d like to share my thoughts. The most impressive ones, in my opinion, are:
The Palace of the Shirvanshahs — there’s no interior left, but the structures themselves are imposing.
The National Museum of History — a fascinating exhibition + a rare chance to see the living quarters of pre-revolutionary Baku oil magnates.
The Nariman Narimanov House-Museum — worth it if you know who he was and are familiar with the history of revolutionary Azerbaijan.
Ateshgah and Yanardag — absolutely mind-blowing, these are the most striking impressions I had of Baku.
The Gala Open-Air Museum — an interesting ethnographic exhibit, but you need to come prepared.
Then, descending in order of interest —
The National Museum of Art — rather weak, although it has some decent ancient Azerbaijani artifacts + about ten paintings by Russian masters.
The Museum of Modern Art — just nonsense, with one unimpressive canvas each by Dalí and Chagall.
The Carpet Museum… well, you probably need to really love carpets.
The Museum of Stone Chronicles — a very small exhibit.
The Heydar Aliyev Center — Zaha Hadid’s architecture is, of course, magnificent, but there’s not much to look at inside.
As for the Museum of Modern Art, you simply don’t have the taste for it, that’s why you didn’t like it. The museum has many interesting works by local artists — strong and very good pieces. Ateshgah is so-so, nothing special.
Now that’s news: “nothing to see in the Heydar Aliyev Center”? 😁 The musical instruments exhibition alone is worth it. And I could look at the dolls forever — I’ve already been three times! 😄 Plus the retro cars are reason enough to visit.