Maiden Tower: A landmark of mysteries and legends VIDEO
Baku, April 2, AZERTAC
The next feature in AZERTAC’s “If I Were a Tourist” column turns the spotlight on the Maiden Tower.
The Maiden Tower stands in the southeastern section of the Old City (Icherisheher) walls, close to the seaside park. It rises 28 meters, with a first-floor diameter of 16.5 meters and walls 5 meters thick. The interior consists of eight floors, all built from cut stone and featuring vaulted ceilings.
Since 1964, the Maiden Tower has served as a museum and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000. The tower’s only entrance is a vaulted door on the west side, positioned 2 meters above the ground.
There are several theories regarding the origin of the Maiden Tower’s name, the most widely accepted being a legend about a young girl—according to some sources, the daughter of the Baku Khan. According to the story, she was confined in the tower by her brother (or, in other versions, by her father) and, unable to bear her suffering, threw herself from the tower. Another theory suggests that the tower was originally called the “Eye Tower,” with the name gradually evolving into “Maiden Tower.” There are also differing opinions about its original purpose, including that it served as a defensive structure, Zoroastrian temple, watchtower, observatory, or other functions.
Archaeological artifacts dating back to the 2nd–1st centuries BC, discovered around the Maiden Tower and now exhibited in the museum, provide tangible evidence of Baku’s ancient heritage. The tower itself is believed to stand in the city’s oldest area. Although its precise age remains unknown, experts estimate that its construction dates back to the 8th–7th centuries BC.
The Maiden Tower sustained damage during various battles over the centuries but was gradually restored and, together with the Old City walls, played a key role in the city’s defense during the Middle Ages. Structural modifications within the tower confirm this. One of its notable features is a water well carved into the rock inside the structure. The well, 0.7 meters in diameter, is located within the southeastern wall and is not connected to sea level.
Visitors to the Maiden Tower museum can explore its history, defensive role, coastal location, and the legends of love and tragedy associated with it, while viewing related artifacts.
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