Foto: The Sheki Palace (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Azerbaijan - Just after ten o'clock we arrive in Sheki. Inside the fortress walls stands the summer palace of the Sheki Khans. We park our car near the fort and walk through the gate. On either side, women call out asking if we want to visit their museums. We decline. At the palace, we wait for the next guided tour, which is entirely in Azerbaijani — impossible to follow. Fortunately, we had read the description in the Lonely Planet beforehand. We know the building was constructed in 1797 and is considered the finest example of traditional Azerbaijani architecture. The schoolchildren in our group are excited by our presence and giggle among themselves. Later, we enjoy coffee in the 18th-century caravanserai just outside the fort. Once a safe haven for traveling trade caravans on the Silk Road, it now houses a hotel.
Mud Volcanoes of Gobustan
Azerbaijan - South of the town of Gobustan lie several mud volcanoes. "It’s more fun than it sounds," writes the Lonely Planet. On a whim, we take a turnoff a few kilometers before Gobustan. It turns out to lead to a small airfield — clearly not the right place. ...
Old City of Baku
Azerbaijan - We quickly head into Baku’s old city. One of the highlights is the Maiden Tower. Large groups of children and local tourists gather in front of it — everyone seems eager to go inside. This creates bottlenecks on the narrow spiral staircase. Since ...
The Fire Temple of the Zoroastrians
Azerbaijan - Our guide Mehmet explains that Azerbaijan is rich in oil, a resource that helps the country develop economically. Outside the city, we see oil pump jacks scattered across the landscape, continuously pumping oil from the ground. Our first stop is Ateshgah, ...
The Prehistoric Rock Engravings
Azerbaijan - South of Baku lies the impressive Gobustan National Park, an area famous for its prehistoric rock carvings. Some of these engravings are more than seven thousand years old, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of the early inhabitants of the region. ...