Palace of Happiness, Gothic Revival palace in central Baku, Azerbaijan.
The Palace of Happiness is a five-story building featuring pointed arches, ornate stone carvings, and vertical elements characteristic of French Gothic architecture. The facade displays continuous decorative details that reflect the style of the 19th century.
Oil magnate Murtuza Mukhtarov commissioned Polish architect Józef Plośko in 1912 to build this structure as a gift for his wife Liza-Khanum Tuganova. The project arose from Mukhtarov's desire to recreate a French Gothic structure he had seen during his travels across Europe.
The structure serves as the Palace of Marriage Registrations, where Azerbaijani couples formalize their unions through civil ceremonies. Visitors can see the rooms where these important moments happen every day.
The building is located at the intersection of Murtuza Mukhtarov Street and Ahmad Javad Street in central Baku. Visitors should check opening hours beforehand, as the site serves both guided tours and registration services.
The entire structure was built in just nine months and represents an exact replica of a French Gothic building that Mukhtarov encountered during his European travels. Such rapid construction for a project of this complexity and size was remarkable for its time.
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