Maiden Tower, 12th-century tower in Old City, Baku, Azerbaijan.
The Maiden Tower is a stone structure in Baku's Old City with a distinctive cylindrical shape rising approximately 30 meters. Its thick walls at the base and eight interior levels connected by staircases make it a substantial medieval fortification.
The foundation dates to the 4th to 6th centuries, while the main structure was built during the 12th century as part of Baku's medieval defense system. This period marked an important phase in the city's architectural development.
The tower stands as an important national symbol of Azerbaijan, appearing on currency and official seals. Its medieval form represents a proud connection to the region's architectural past.
All eight levels are open to visitors and display exhibits about Baku's history. Plan time for the interior stairways and bring comfortable shoes for climbing to the upper levels.
The cylindrical shape and thick stone walls with a projecting buttress reflect early earthquake-resistant engineering that was advanced for the 12th century. This design feature helped the tower survive centuries of seismic activity.
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