World Heritage Review 92: Special Issue - World Heritage in Azerbaijan

Baku has always been at the crossroads of cultures. Situated along the western shore of the Caspian Sea, it is part of ancient trade routes from the Central Asian steppe towards Europe, and was the main port to receive goods from the East shipped across the Caspian Sea. Heading westwards from Baku, merchandise would be transported north through the Caucasus Mountains and to the Black Sea and to Istanbul. Baku has thus been an important multicultural hub in the region throughout history. Archaeological evidence from Baku indicates that the city was founded several centuries before the Common Era, and has evolved in this history of economic and cultural exchanges.