Nardaran Fortress, Medieval fortress in Nardaran village, Azerbaijan.
Nardaran Fortress is a medieval fortification in the village of Nardaran on the Absheron Peninsula. It features a central tower built with white stones and surrounded by defensive walls that vary in height.
The fortress was built in 1301 by architect Mahmud ibn Sa'd as a strategic outpost for the Shirvanshahs. It represents the building traditions of the Shirvan-Absheron architectural school of that period.
The two Arabic inscriptions above the central tower entrance reflect how language and text were used to mark authority in medieval times. They show visitors something about the values and beliefs of the people who built this place.
The fortress is located north of Baku and is reachable from the capital city. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since access to different levels involves uneven surfaces and stepped areas.
A deep well on the first floor of the main tower connects to an underground sewerage system built in medieval times. This hidden infrastructure reveals the technical knowledge of those who designed the building.
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