the legacy ofancient fire worshippers
Baku and the surrounding Absheron peninsular contain extraordinary landscapes, rich in oil and subterranean gases, which have intrigued travellers since time immemorial. For centuries, Ateshgah Temple - in the settlement of Surakhani - has been attracting crowds of thrill seekers. This sacred Zoroastrian temple was transformed into a place of worship for visitors from India in the 17th and 18th centuries, and Indian tourists still visit Ateshgah with great enthusiasm and deep respect to this day. Notes about this magical temple can even be found in Alexander Dumas’ 1858 book ‘Journey to the Caucasus.’ In 1998, Ateshgah Temple was included in the Tentative List for UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Currently, it is a magnificent open-air museum.
We highly recommend tourists to visit nearby Yanardag (that translates to ‘burning mountain’), located in the village of Mammadli. These astonishing natural flames, which sometimes reach a height of 10 metres, were first described in the memoirs of Marco Polo in the 13th century. Today’s tourists, from around the world, can visit the site’s modern museum complex to learn more about the fascinating history of Yanardag. Besides the ever-burning flames, you can also find other examples of cultural heritage and natural sites on the territory of the reserve. These include the ‘Wolf's Den’ cave, dating back to the early era of communal societies, ancient chests, medicinal sulphur springs, the active Kirmaki Mud Volcano, the sacred spot of Alidashi Pir, large natural rocks, Girmaki Valley and ancient burial mounds. The preserve also includes trenches from 1918, constructed by Ottoman troops that arrived in Baku.
For more information:
Entrance to Ateshgah Temple: 4 ₼ (foreigners), 2 ₼ (locals)
Guided tour: 3 ₼ per person (in Azerbaijani), 5 ₼ per person (in other languages)
Entrance to Yanardag: 9 ₼ (tourists), 2 ₼ (locals)
Guided tour: 3 ₼ per person (in Azerbaijani), 6 ₼ per person (in other languages)
Combo ticket for Ateshgah and Yanardag: 11 ₼
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