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Photo: Not home, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
A fortified religious pentagonal temple located in Suraxanı near Baku. Declared the country's historic-architectural state reserve in 2007. It stems from ancient Indians who moved here and used the natural gas coming from the ground for religious purposes. In the 1960s so much gas and oil extraction had been done that an artificial gas pipe had to be created to feed the fire, which is still burning.
The Ateshgah of Baku, Azerbaijani: Atəşgah), often called the "Fire Temple of Baku", is a syncretic temple in Surakhany town. Sarah Ashurbeyli notes that the Atsh is distorted Atesh (“fire”) and Atshi-Baguan means “Fires of Baguan”, referring to Baku. The word Baguan comes from the word Baga, which means “God” in Old Persian, and Bhaga. Baku gets its name from Bagavan/Bagawan/Baguan/Bhagawan. It was called Bagavan during the Sassanian rule.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Yanar Dağ, Burning Hillside
Yanar Dagh is a mountain whose natural gas vents have been aflame for a thousand years, even when it rains. Flames jet into the air from a thin, porous sandstone layer. A large touristy complex with small museum has been built around it, charging almost 5 times the price of 2017.
This was built in 1187. The rectangular fortress is 22 m high. Its 76-step tower has two drinking water and 60 food wells. There is a circular tower 500 m away, is known as a "round fortress". It is also called the "Six fortress" after Sheikh Abu Said Abulkheir. It is 12 m high. The Arabic inscriptions on it suggest that it was built by architect Abdulmajid Masud in 1232.
Azerbaijani: Tuba-Şahi məscidi
Built in 1481.
Abşeron Milli Parkı
A popular national park within the reach of Baku that allows for day trips. It houses a variety of flora and fauna, including tigers and loads of snakes that escaped from their cages a couple of years ago. After the entrance it is another 7 km to the park office, where you can see snakes and the rough coast. However, the snakes a mostly active between April and summer. It is better to go in the morning or evening to see other animals. During the day, you will be mostly out of luck. Also, a 4WD is a good idea to go through the dunes. Bring your passport.
About 500 m before the park entrance there is a nice spot for a dive into the sea with a sheer endless shallow sea, allowing you to walk in several 100 meters.
Last erupted in 2001, but nice for a visit and with a great view.
Отман-Боздаг
Far from the highway, but near the road. Last erupted in September 2018.