• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Architecture of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani Architecture - Soviet Influence in Baku
Soviet Architecture

When it comes to exploring Azerbaijani architecture, nearly everything of note is located in the capital city of Baku. As a crossroads between the Persians, Turks, Russians and Azerbaijanis, the city has formed an architectural style somewhat unique to their neighbors. However, as a primarily Muslim country, much of the old architecture is in the form of Islamic art and is most noticeable in Baku's old town.

In the 1100s the city built walls, much of which still remain. Also in this century the Maiden's tower was built and continues to dominate the old town's skyline today. The Shirvan Shah's Palace was built primarily in the 1400s and is the best example of Azerbaijan's historical mosque and palace architecture.

In the 1900s the country was taken over by the Soviets and the landscape changed. The concrete style associated with Soviet architecture was developed in many cities, however primarily on these cities' outskirts. The Soviets however always made an effort to integrate local architecture into their buildings and this is more pronounced in Azerbaijan than in most former Soviet countries since Azerbaijan's Islamic architecture was vastly different from the Soviet's. For this reason, there are a number of buildings in Baku's old town that are fairly unique examples of Soviet architecture, which integrate Azerbaijani characteristics.

This page was last updated: March, 2013