The Great Mardakan Fortress – A Majestic Medieval Defensive Construction VIDEO
Baku, July 24, AZƏRTAC
From AZERTAC’s “If I Were a Tourist” series: the Mardakan Fortress.
The Great Mardakan Fortress is one of the oldest structures ever built on the Absheron Peninsula. It is designed in a four-cornered shape and is considered Absheron’s tallest donjon. Unlike typical fortresses, donjons are surrounded by separate defensive walls that are not connected to the main tower—a fortress within a fortress, so to speak.
The tower stands 22 meters tall, while the surrounding walls reach a height of 7 meters. Inside, the tower is divided into five levels.
The fortress was built in the 12th century by Shirvanshah Akhsitan I, son of Shirvanshah Manuchihr III. Akhsitan I commissioned the structure in honor of his decisive victory over enemy forces.
This solid medieval defensive construction also includes underground passages. Although a well can still be seen inside the castle, unfortunately, it is not accessible for descent. One of the underground passages is believed to lead to the smaller Mardakan Fortress.
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