The whole of Baku in one day - a trip along the route "Formula 1"

The old city is the heart of Baku. The Formula 1 route is like a golden ring fringing this heart. It was conceived and laid in such a way as to cover the maximum number of city attractions, in the end managed to cover them all. Together with you, we will walk along the entire route, from the starting point and then past the alley dedicated to Formula 1 to all the main attractions. I'm going to tell you the history of every architectural monument along the way, and there will be a lot of them. You will learn the secrets, happy and tragic stories surrounding the houses of Baku khans, merchants and oil tycoons.

Details of the tour:

The most monumental structure of the Soviet era.

Our journey will start from the starting point of Formula 1 – Azadlig Square. We will admire the most grandiose and large-scale building of Soviet Azerbaijan - the Government House (In Soviet times - the House of Soviets). The palace, in whose architecture Stalin’s monumentalism is intertwined with the eastern elements of the Shirvanshahs’ palace. You will hear an interesting legend about the fascist swastika, hidden in the guise of this building by German prisoners of war, hands of which this building was built.

Fantan "7 beauties", and Primorsky Boulevard.

Past the most beautiful musical fountains "7 beauties", we will walk to the alley dedicated to the legendary race cars. Then we will continue our journey parallel to the longest and fastest section of the track, along Baku Boulevard (Maritime National Park), where we will meet unique plants such as baobabs and huge cacti (a greenhouse called the “Baku Piece of Mexico”). For guests with children, we can make stops on the way so that children can frolic on the attractions in the park (although there will be breathtaking, adult rides along the way). You will learn how this unique park was created, how the sea absorbed it, then on the contrary ran away, baring the desert coast. I'm going to show you some unique photos of the park from the beginning of the last century. At the same time, I will try to share with you the most useful information about our city. For example, you will find out where else, besides the TV tower, you can sit in a revolving restaurant, admiring the wonderful panorama of the city. We will temporarily interrupt the walk along the boulevard near the building of the Puppet Theater, learning what a phenomenon it was in the distant 1908th year.

"Maiden Tower" and the first acquaintance with the old city.

Passing the palace of the Hajiyevs, with a glorious, tragic and at the same time complete irony fate, we will reach the most ancient symbol of Baku - the Maiden Tower. I will tell you what role she played in different periods of history, tell all her legends and secrets (and there are many of them). At your request, we can go to the tower itself and admire the Old City from its top - "Icheri Sheher" (translated as "Inner City").

Then we will plunge into the fabulous atmosphere of the ancient city. We will explore ancient excavations, crypts, caravanserais, baths and mosques. Everything that is located in the lower part of the ancient city-fortress. You have no idea how much I want to write about these buildings... but I’ll leave it all for the tour itself, otherwise it won’t be interesting.

Lunchtime is approaching and we will probably get tired and hungry. Having a hearty and inexpensive snack in the restaurant that Dmitry Medvedev visited (in addition, I will offer you other, more budgetary options) and a little rest will continue our walk.

Baku Venice and the new symbol of Baku is Caspian Waterfront Mall.

Having gained strength and impressions, we will return to the boulevard. We will pass by the beautiful home of millionaire Seyid Mirbabayev, a singer turned oil tycoon. I'll tell you the story of the wealth of this Favourite of Destiny. Then we will go to the famous Baku Venice. After a boat ride through the Venetian canals, as well as admiring the yachts "Yacht Club", we will go further and go to the Mugham Center and the Carpet Museum. Both buildings are modern, with a very interesting shape, which I will tell you about, as well as about the Azerbaijani mugham and carpets. At the same time, we will admire the view of the new symbol of Baku: Caspian Waterfront Mall and I will tell you where the idea for the shape of this enchanting complex came from.

The Philharmonic Garden, Ismailia, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Diamond Arm.

And then we go back to the city wall, and I'll show you a place where two millennia seem to meet each other. We will walk through the fantastically beautiful Governor’s Garden, see the secret passage of the ancient fortress and inspect the building of the Baku Philharmonic. Walk to one of the most beautiful buildings in Baku, the Palace of Happiness (which, ironically, has one of the most tragic stories in this city). Then, after passing by several more historical buildings (Sadykhov’s house, Ismailia, the First School for Girls in the East, etc.), we go down to the narrowest and most iconic section of Formula 1 – “Pair Gate”. We will go to the upper part of the Icheri Sheher and inspect the palace of the Shirvanshahs, the Khan’s House and the defensive structures of the city wall. We will find the location of the filming of the film “Diamond Hand” (must be photographed, imitating the famous scene “Damn it!”, and if desired, “Zigel-Zigel ai lu-lu”), as well as visit the studio of the famous artist Ali Shamsi. Back we will pass through a narrow inner street past the local Ghibligakh - the house in which Saint Atag (who, according to legend, did not have bones) lived. Many interesting stories and legends will be waiting for you all the way.

On the way out of the fortress, we will make another stop and have a snack with wonderful bread – tendir, where Vladimir Putin was treated to them (and many other celebrities, whose photos you can see on the wall of the famous Tendirkhana.) And again, having gained strength, we will go to the “final straight”.

Trade, Nizami Museum, Tagiyev Palace and the finish line!

After leaving the walls of the old city, we will pass by a number of iconic places (because the route of Formula 1 on one of the sections repeats, we will enrich it with a walk along the "Trade"). We will admire the amazing architecture of the Nizami Museum, as well as the majestic monument to the great poet. Then we will visit the palace of the most famous Baku oil millionaire philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev (now the National Museum of History of Azerbaijan is located in the palace building). Then we will pass the Opera and Ballet building (I will tell you the story of the most expensive bet between Azerbaijani tycoons) and finally get to the finish line.