The complex of Shirvanshahs palace

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From the history of the Shirvanshahs' Palace

The Shirvanshahs' Palace ensemble was the residence of the shahs of Shirvan and played a dominating role at historical core of Baku - "Ichari Shahar". The Shirvanshahs' state was the biggest feudal state in the northern-eastern part of Azerbaijan in 1st half of VI – XVI centuries. It had the same borders with Samur river, Darband in the North, Caspian Sea in the East, Kur river in the South and with Shaki, Ganja in the West.

Shahs of this state such as Akhsitan, Fariburz, Sheykh Ibrahim, Khalilullah, etc. were clever, powerful and strong.

The first capital of the Shirvan state was Shamakhi. In XIII-XV centuries it's already took an important position in international silk trade. Well-known as "Talaman silk" Shirvan's silk exported to Minor Asia, Syria, Italy, China, England, and many other countries.

Shamakhi is located in seismic zone. After devastating earthquake in 1192, Shirvanshah Akhsitan I transferred the Shirvanshahs' residence from Shamakhy to Baku and since that time Baku became the second capital of Shirvanshahs.

According to the palace poet Badr Shirvani, who lived in the period of two shahs - Ibrahim and his son Khalilullah I – the flag of the Shirvanshahs was gold-colored.

Two lions and the head of the bull between them was the symbol of the Shirvanshahs. Lions symbolized the power and strength of the Shirvanshahs, the head of the bull symbolized abundance.

The total area of the complex is 0.7 ha. This complex hasn't any analogue in all the Middle East. The complex consists of the main building of the palace with 52 rooms, "Divankhana", which fascinated Medieval foreign scientists and travelers, the tomb of Seyid Yakhya Bakuvi, whose scientific works in Arabic language kept at the world libraries and museums, "East" portal, the palace mosque, the burial-vaults of the shah's family, an ancient palace baths, underground shah's reservoir with 34 footsteps.

The Maiden Tower

The Palace Building

Divankhana

Seyid Yahya Bakuvi's Mausoleum

Fragments of the Keygubad mosque

Sabail inscriptions

The Eastern Portal

The Palace Mosque

The Shirvanshahs' Burial-vault

The Palace Bath-House

The Palace reservoir

The complex of Shirvanshahs palace

    The Ensemble of Shirvanshahs' Palace built in the XV century, is one of the pearls of Azerbaijanian architecture. The construction of the palace are situated on the highest point of one of the hills of «Icheri Sheher» - Baku fortress. Being picturesquely spread over three terrace - yards towered above each other the ensemble is seen from the sea and heights surrounding the city. The buildings crowned with cupolas with the well-proportioned portals and minaret, irreproachably made details, inimitable kind of fine and deep carving of ornaments and inscriptions, splendid masonry have come down to us in all their beauty.
    The ensemble contains dwelling - house, «Divanxane», Shirvanshahs' tomb Palace mosque with a minaret, bath-house, SeyidYahyaBakuvies Mausoleum, Eastern portal.
    Divankhane was the place for official receptions and state meetings. Rotunda of Divankhane is crowned with the cutstone cupola with pointed arch surrounded by the same arcade of closed yard. A high, well - proportioned portal of the main entrance is decorated with ornaments and inscriptions of unusual polish and beauty.

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