Overview
This is a walking tour to discover the reflection of Baku’s past and hear about oil barons of the first oil boom era and their quest for personal glory and fame. The tour offers insider's guide to urban exploration about social, cultural, political aspect of every-day life in Baku with background of stories based on real life of oil barons from late 19th and early 20th century as well as soviet and modern times.
The tour highlights how oil changed Baku as as the new generation of the first era of oil boom assumed their social responsibility for a change in an oriental conventional Muslim society. You will hear stories about Azerbaijan’s dilemma of East vs. West, oil barons’ hunger for personal glory and fame, Influence of Polish architects, change and continuity through times under imperial Russia,
Soviet and Independent Azerbaijan.
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Mobile ticket
What's included
Bottled water
Lunch
Private transportation
Meeting and pickup
Travelers meet at the meeting point.
Meeting point
We meet out front of KFC/Pizza Hut at Fountains Square (See it here https://goo.gl/maps/2impV4G1z1uequ5c7).
The guide carries a red umbrella to recognize.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What to expect
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Fountain Square
10 min
Fountains Square is downtown, entertainment and leisure centre in Baku. However, this neighborhood emerged as main trading street of boom town during the first oil boom era, late XIX and early XX century. This is where we meet and end the tour.
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Baku Old City
1 hour
Known as Icherisheher, Old Town in Baku houses four UNESCO's World Heritage sites. We will walk and stop to offer explanation without entering the sights (Museums of Shirvanshahs Palace and Maiden Tower) with historic photos.
The sites covered are :
1. Gosha Gala gate (Main entry to Old City)
2. Citadel Walls (XII century, UNESCO site)
3. Maiden Tower, XII cent (No entry, however explanation is offered at entry)
4. Muhammad Mosue (XI century, UNESCO site)
5. Stroll through narrow streets in Old City
6. Shirvanshakh’s Palace, XV cent (No entry, however explanation is offered at entry)
7. Museum of Miniature Books
8. Vahid Garden and Aliaga Vahid Statue
9. Gasimbek’s Bath House
10. Salyan Gate (one of two original entry gates of Old City) -
Philharmonic Fountain
10 min
Formerly Nikolayevskaya and Kommunisticheskaya, the Istiglaliyyat Street was one of the main streets of Imperial Russian time Baku. Here we will explore urban transformation that brought by oil barons and their quest for personal glory and fame. The attractions covered along Istiglaliyyat street are: Governor’s Garden, Town Hall, Philharmonic Hall, Sadikhov Brothers Residence, Palace of Happiness, Institute of Manuscripts of Azerbaijan, Ismaliyya Palace (Muslim Charitable Society), Sabir Gardem, Literature Museum and the statue of Nizami.
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10 min
Formerly Nikolayevskaya and Kommunisticheskaya, the Istiglaliyyat Street was one of the main streets of Imperial Russian time Baku. Here we will explore urban transformation that brought by oil barons and their quest for personal glory and fame. The attractions covered along Istiglaliyyat street are: Governor’s Garden, Town Hall, Philharmonic Hall, Sadikhov Brothers Residence, Palace of Happiness, Institute of Manuscripts of Azerbaijan, Ismaliyya Palace (Muslim Charitable Society), Sabir Gardem, Literature Museum and the statue of Nizami.
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10 min
Formerly Nikolayevskaya and Kommunisticheskaya, the Istiglaliyyat Street was one of the main streets of Imperial Russian time Baku. Here we will explore urban transformation that brought by oil barons and their quest for personal glory and fame. The attractions covered along Istiglaliyyat street are: Governor’s Garden, Town Hall, Philharmonic Hall, Sadikhov Brothers Residence, Palace of Happiness, Institute of Manuscripts of Azerbaijan, Ismaliyya Palace (Muslim Charitable Society), Sabir Gardem, Literature Museum and the statue of Nizami.
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10 min
Formerly Nikolayevskaya and Kommunisticheskaya, the Istiglaliyyat Street was one of the main streets of Imperial Russian time Baku. Here we will explore urban transformation that brought by oil barons and their quest for personal glory and fame. The attractions covered along Istiglaliyyat street are: Governor’s Garden, Town Hall, Philharmonic Hall, Sadikhov Brothers Residence, Palace of Happiness, Institute of Manuscripts of Azerbaijan, Ismaliyya Palace (Muslim Charitable Society), Sabir Gardem, Literature Museum and the statue of Nizami.
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Fountain Square
10 min
The walking tour ends at Fountains Square.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
Times are local to the experience (Asia/Baku).
Additional Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
FAQs about Baku Oil Heritage & Old Town Walking Tour
Can I cancel Baku Oil Heritage & Old Town Walking Tour for free?
Yes. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
How long does it take?
It takes about 2 hours 30 min.
Where does it start?
We meet out front of KFC/Pizza Hut at Fountains Square (See it here https://goo.gl/maps/2impV4G1z1uequ5c7). The guide carries a red umbrella to recognize.
What's included?
- Bottled water
What's not included?
- Lunch
- Private transportation
Which places does it visit?
It visits Fountain Square, Baku Old City, Philharmonic Fountain.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is offered in English.
What fitness level is needed?
It is suitable for all physical fitness levels.
Operated by Azerbaijan Traveller
