Explore the elegant district of Bayırshahar on a guided walking tour. Discover the architectural treasures of Baku’s oil-boom era and learn about the city’s history.

PRICE: $24
per person

 

Step into Bayırshahar, the elegant district beyond the walls of Icherisheher, where Baku’s oil millionaires, architects, and merchants shaped a new modern city.

Begin with the iconic Ismaliyya Building, a neo-Gothic architectural gem by Józef Płoszko. Nearby stands the magnificent Saadet Palace, built as a wedding gift and still one of the most charming buildings in the city.

Explore the historic Zərgərpalan Street, once famous for its artisans and decorated merchant houses. Some of these buildings remain intact, while others were rebuilt, renamed, or entirely lost over the past century.

At several stops, highlight structures that no longer exist — former churches, hamams, and residential houses demolished or transformed during Soviet redevelopment. Through old photographs and stories, see what once stood here.

Continue to the Shollar Water Line sites, discussing one of the most ambitious engineering projects of early 20th-century Azerbaijan.

Next, visit the serene St. Michael the Archangel Church, one of Baku’s surviving Orthodox landmarks. Examine façades of insured buildings, where original European insurance plaques still remain — a small but unique detail of Baku’s international past.

At Taza Pir Mosque, learn about its construction, legends, and the fascinating story of the Azerbaijani woman buried at its threshold, a lesser-known piece of local history. Pass by the house connected to Chingiz Mustafayev, offering a moment to reflect on modern Azerbaijani heritage.

Finish near the Baku City Duma, the grand municipal building that symbolized Baku’s rise as a modern European city.

Tour Highlights:

Discover the elegant, forgotten, and mysterious treasures of Bayırshahar
Explore the Ismaliyya Building, Saadet Palace, and Baku City Duma
Walk through Zərgərpalan Street, once a center of artisans and workshops
Learn about the Shollar Water Lines and how Baku gained clean water
Visit St. Michael the Archangel Church and discover old Baku’s history

Includes:

Guided walking tour
Historical images and storytelling
Stops at active, ruined, and lost building sites
Entrance fees
Food & drinks
Hotel pick-up & drop-off

 

This is just one of the many unforgettable experiences Azerbaijan has to offer. Discover more tours, hidden gems, and must-see spots on our complete Azerbaijan guide.