Highland Park Baku is a popular attraction located in the capital of Azerbaijan. From its highest point, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and bay. Both locals and tourists come to the park to appreciate the view, take a stroll, or simply relax.
Name Highland Park received due to its location. The territory of the parking zone is located on a hill, so from the observation platforms, a magnificent view of the nearby attractions opens Baku Boulevard, Baku Bay, the Shirvanshahs Palace, the Old City of Baku and the Maiden’s Tower. The place is called by local people “Dagustu park” which means Upland Park.
The history of the Highland Park Baku
Highland Park is one of the most famous and interesting sights of Baku. The green zone is located above Baku Bay. The park in its original form, which has been preserved today, with spacious stairs, shady alleys and cosy terraces, was created by the famous architect Lev Ilyin. During the construction of the Park, Baku limestone was used as the main material.
Initially, the territory within the boundaries of which the Nagorny park complex was built called the English Park. At the beginning of the 20th century, there was a burial place of English soldiers who were in Baku after the fall of the Russian emperor in 1918. To date, the only thing that reminds of this is a monument to the departed English soldiers.
The construction of the Dagustu Park began in 1935. At this time, a monument to Sergey Kirov, who was the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party in Azerbaijan, was erected there. Afterwards the construction of the park complex, this place was named Kirov park for several decades. After the completion of the construction of the park, a theatre, attractions, restaurants, and new monuments are being erected within its territory.
After the collapse of the USSR in 1990, the monument to Sergei Kirov was dismantled, and the park was officially renamed Highland.
The last large-scale reconstruction of Highland Park was carried out in 2011-2013, and this part of the capital gained particular beauty. New paths and paths were laid in the park, a new waterfall complex was built. Landscaping works were carried out, old trees were preserved and new decorative plants were planted. A modern lighting system makes the park even more beautiful at night.
Landmarks of Highland park
One of the interesting and unusual monuments in the complex is a huge block that does not fit into the architecture of the park, but for some reason was left by the builders. This stone with a rectangular hole in the center, according to popular belief, has healing properties.
The main park attractions are the Green Theater and the Gulistan Palace. The Green Theater was erected in the early 60s of the XX century. After restoration in 2007, foreign and local artists began performing on the stage of the theatre again.
In the early 80s, the palace of Gulistan was built. Several architects took part in this project: N. M. Gadzhibekov and A. Yu. Amirkhanov. This building received the state award of the Azerbaijan SSR. The main purpose of the palace is to conduct cultural city and republican events. In 1994, an agreement was signed within the walls of the building, known as the “Contract of the Century.”
Upland Park is famous for its funicular, with which you can get from the Carpet Museum to the complex in just 10 minutes. This type of transport is one of the attractions of the park and the city of Baku. The funicular was opened in 1960 and is still operating today.
The complex has many sculptures. Some of the most famous are the monuments to Bahram Gyur and General Azi Aslanov. The first personifies the struggle between good and evil. The sculpture depicts the hero of the poem Nizami. The second monument is to Azerbaijani General Hazi Aslanov. This is a tombstone Sovie hero who fought in WW2. The author of the sculpture was the artist Fuad Abdurakhmanov.
In the early 90s, the Turkish Martyrs Mosque was erected on the territory of the park and near the mosque, there is a memorial area for Turkish soldiers who saved Baku from armenian dashnaks in 1918.
At the beginning of the same 90s, all the entertainment facilities disappeared from the park, and dance floors and attractions closed. Such a sharp change in “mood” is associated with the mass grave of people who died on January 20, 1990, during the “Black January”. In this regard, the Alley of Martyrs was opened within the park area. In fact, this is a cemetery where the bodies of those who participated in Black January and died in the Karabakh war are buried. There is also a place with a mass grave where the unidentified bodies of the dead lie. 20 th of January plays a huge role in Azerbaijan’s independence. After a huge protest against the soviet union on the 19th of January Soviet’s Red Army entered Baku at night time and started to kill more than 200 innocent people. Azerbaijani people own a lot for those heroes and for that reason hey buried at the highest point of city- highland park Baku
How to get to Highland Park Baku
Upland Park is open around the clock. The entrance to the complex is free.
One of the great things about Highland Park Baku is its accessibility. Whether you’re coming from the city centre or other parts of Baku, getting to the park is easy and convenient. The park is located in the heart of Baku and is easily accessible by car, public transportation, or taxi.
If you’re driving, there is ample parking available in the park, and the park’s staff can assist you with finding the best place to park.
By walking:
You can get here by funicular in 7-8 minutes from the level of the boulevard, or by climbing endless stone stairs. But it’s best to start right from the top – from the square where the Parliament of Azerbaijan, the Alley of Martyrs and the world-famous modern symbols of Baku Flame towers (Fire Towers) are located. You can arrive here both by public transport and taxi.
By Funicular:
You can get to Nagorny Park using the funicular from the Lower Station, which is located near the Bahram Gur monument, not far from the local Carpet Museum. This type of transport works from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., the ticket price per person is 1 AZN. The interval between departures is 10 minutes, and the duration of movement between stations is 4 minutes.
By Public Transportation
If you prefer public transportation, there are several bus lines that run to and from the park, making it easy to get there without a car.
You can get to the park by bus. Buses No. 3, 18, and 53 go towards the complex. You need to get off at the stop of Martyrs’ Alley, opposite the Flame Towers (Flame / Fire Towers). From the stop, you need to cross the road towards the promenade. Walking time will take about 10 minutes.
Comment (0)