Independence Museum of Azerbaijan, Historical museum in central Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Independence Museum of Azerbaijan, also called Istiqlal Museum, is housed in the Museum Center in Baku. Its six halls display paintings, sculptures, maps, photographs, books, banknotes and documents. The collection grew from 7,000 exhibits in 1991 to more than 22,000 today.

The first Istiqlal Museum opened on 7 December 1919 in the parliament building of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, with H. Mirzajamalov and I. M. Aghaoglu behind its creation. It was liquidated in 1920 after Soviet power was established in Baku, and its holdings fed the Muzexcurs and Azerbaijan State Museum collections. The museum was re-established on 9 January 1991 with 7,000 exhibits, and its collection has since passed 20,000 items.

The museum's name, "Istiqlal", means independence in Azerbaijani. Its children's circle, "We are the heirs of the independence", gives young visitors tasks and tells the state's history in an entertaining form. The museum opens its doors during events such as International Museum Day on 18 May and World Tourism Day on 27 September.

The museum opens its doors on International Museum Day (18 May), International Day for Monuments and Sites (18 April) and World Tourism Day (27 September). Free entry is granted to ICOM members, museum workers, military personnel, World War II veterans, and victims of the Karabakh war and Black January. A children's circle, "We are the heirs of the independence", gives young visitors tasks and tells them the state's history in an entertaining form.

The museum's first version, opened on 7 December 1919 in the parliament building of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, was organised with help from H. Mirzajamalov and I. M. Aghaoglu. When Soviet power was established in 1920 it was closed, and its archaeological finds, rare books, coins and jewellery passed to the "Muzexcurs" foundations and the Azerbaijan State Museum.