Azerbaijan's cultural heritageon the UNESCO list
Azerbaijan is a country with a rich and diverse heritage, which is recognized by the world community and UNESCO. This heritage encompasses both tangible and intangible assets reflecting deep historical and cultural traditions, as well as unique natural resources.
One of the notable corners of Azerbaijan, where these cultural treasures are preserved, is the Old City of Baku (Icherisheher). Surrounded by 12th-century fortress walls, this historical center of the capital is a living open-air museum. Visitors can explore ancient mosques, traditional hammams, tall towers and the majestic palace of the Shirvanshahs – all these architectural masterpieces take us back to the past while maintaining the essence of the ancient city.
Not far from Baku, there is another unique place that has also taken its place on the UNESCO World Heritage List – Gobustan. This vast reserve is a real treasure trove of history, home to more than 6,000 petroglyphs depicting scenes from the lives of ancient people, animals, caravans, boats, as well as ritual dances and hunting. These images tell the story of our ancestors who inhabited here from five to twenty thousand years ago.
Sheki is a city famous for its historical center and architectural monuments. One of the most remarkable sites is the Palace of the Sheki Khans of the 18th century, a magnificent architectural gem adorned with stained glass windows that vividly reflects the culture and history of the region. This palace, along with the historical center of Sheki, as well as the highland village of Khinalig and the ‘Köç Yolu’, are an integral part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
To the east of Azerbaijan lies Hyrcanian Forests, a unique natural area included in the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its biodiversity and rare ecosystems. These forests are home to many rare species of flora and fauna.
Beyond tangible resources, Azerbaijan is also known for its intangible heritage, such as Mugham music, carpet weaving, tea culture, the art of making kelaghayi and copper craftsmanship in Lahij settlement. These traditions are passed down from generation to generation and are an integral part of the country's cultural life. A significant achievement of 2024 was the inclusion of ‘tandir’ and the baking of the eponymous bread on the Representative List of UNESCO Intangible Heritage, which confirms the high recognition of the skills of Azerbaijani artisans. As a result, the number of intangible heritage elements of Azerbaijan on the UNESCO list increased to 24.
Preservation and popularization of this rich heritage remain the most important task for Azerbaijan, contributing to the strengthening of national identity and attracting global attention to the uniqueness of its culture.
