Baku, March 9, AZERTAC

There are more than 250 public and private museums in Azerbaijan, where unique cultural and material samples of the country are preserved.

Located in the center of ancient Baku, the National Museum of Azerbaijan Literature named after great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi is one of the museums that has been carrying out the mission of promoting the ancient history and rich literary heritage of Azerbaijani people for more than 70 years.

On front side of the magnificent building, which attracts attention of everyone with its blue majolica on the façade, monuments of six outstanding representatives of Azerbaijan literature - Mahammad Fuzuli, Molla Panah Vagif, Mirza Fatali Akhundov, Khurshudbanu Natavan, Jalil Mammadguluzade an Jafar Jabbarli welcome the city dwellers and guests.

The history of the Museum building which catches attention with its charming architectural style at first sight begins from the middle of the 19th century which had been built not far from the Twin-gates surrounding Icharishahar (Old city) in 1850.

According to the project of Gasim bay Hajibababayov (1811-1874), the chief architect of Baku Gubernia, the second floor was added to the one-stored caravanserai with the order of the new owner of the building Azerbaijani millionaire Haji Hajagha Dadashov (1828-1905). The civil engineer Alexander Nikitin (1878-1952) prepared the project of the banquet room on the second floor and in 1915 the building was transformed into “Metropol” hotel.

In 1918-1920, the Cabinet of Ministers of Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan used the building as a work-place and lodging.

In 1920-1930 years Trade-Union Committee of Azerbaijan was located in the building.

In 1943 the façade and interior of the building was decorated in national style and the monuments of prominent representatives of Azerbaijan literature - Fizuli (sculptor F.Abdurahmanov), Vagif (sculptor J.Garyaghdi), M.F.Akhundov (sculptor P.Sabsay), Natavan (sculptor.Tripolskaya), J.Mammadguluzade (sculptor N.Zakharov) and J.Jabbarli (sculptor Y.Klyatskin) were erected on the balcony.

On May 14, 1945, the Museum of Azerbaijani literature named after Nizami Ganjavi opened its doors for the first time for the guests.

The exposition of the museum covers the stages of development of Azerbaijani literature enriched with innovations, completely computerized and referred to world standards.

The tourists from all parts of the world visit the Museum of literature with great pleasure.

The Museum features ancient manuscripts, examples of material culture, pictures, carpets, unique books, fine miniatures, manuscripts of famous calligraphers, numismatics, memorabilia of writers, documental photos, sculptures, maps, the pieces of applied arts and crafts, which attract attention of the local and foreign visitors.

The innovative exhibition of the Museum allows visitors to familiarize themselves with valuable audio-video materials - various films, fragments of performances, music pieces of well-known Azerbaijani composers and poetic examples performed by popular actors.