The Flames are definately Baku’s most famous and most photographed site. And yes, they are spectacular, especially at night with the every changing lights and images. The evenings are best spent on Bulevar, the 3km the breezy ocean front. The Carpet Museum and kitschy Little Venice are only a stone throw away.
The Flames
The three flame-shaped towers arae inspired by Azerbaijan’s long history with fire worshipping. They intend to symbolize the elements of fire, and are a reference to Azerbaijan’s nickname “The Land of Fire”
The towers an be seen from everywhere in Baku. At night an LED light show the Azeri flag being waved by people, like giant flames and other images that change every tow minutes. The expansive Fairmont Hotel, offices and Apartments fill the inside the of the towers. Rumours way that the ground on which the Flames were built is not stable and that one tower is almost empty.
Highland Park
The area around Highland Park, is one of the highest points in the city. This is where Martyrs’ Lane, and the Shahidlar Monument with its eternal flame, are stark reminders Azerbaijan’s more contemporary history. To get there you can take a taxi or by Baku Funicular. The 455-metre-long line runs up the mountainside to a plateau overlooking Baku and the Caspian Sea.
View of Baku from Highland Park
From 1920 to 1991 Azerbaijan was part of the Soviet Union. Like so many of the former Soviet States, Azerbijand triy to break away from Soviet rule. On the days of January 19 and 20, 1990, Soviet tanks and troops took to the streets of Baku killing and wounding demonstrators calling for independence. Hundreds were killed on those days the Azeri refer to as Black January.
Martyrs’ Lane -131 Azeri men, women, children are etched in black stone, in perfect rows
Martyrs’ Lane -131 Azeri men, women, children are etched in black stone, in perfect row
Little Venice
On our last evening in Baku I could convince Elisabeth to join me for dinner at the super kitschy Little Venice, at the southern end of the Bulvar. We are in one of the restaurant with people gliding by in gondolas.
Little Venice
Little Venice
Oil Wells
There was a time when half of the world’s oil supply came out of Baku
Bulvard – people watching
On this 3km long promenade along the Caspian Sea we spent our evenings, doing some serious people watching. Our favorite spot was the gigantic chess board. One evening a young lady wacked all the guys who challenged here. The other highligh was a stall that created Disney characted from cotton candy. It wa not only fun to watch it being made but also the kids enoying or often hesitating to take their frist bite into this piece of art. . it has room for both pedestrians and cyclists, and is interspersed with pockets of parkland. I always like to walk along the Bulvar in the evening.
Bulvard – Bikini, running, walking
chess players in action
Cotton Candy
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