Divankhana, 15th century monument in Baku, Azerbaijan
Divankhana is a 15th century monument in Baku featuring an octagonal rotunda-pavilion with pointed arcades, a stone cupola, and a three-sided gallery surrounding a closed courtyard. The structure spreads across multiple levels that include an octahedral hall, an underground vault, and a five-meter deep well carved into the rock base.
The building was constructed during the reign of Farrukh Yasar, with construction halted around 1500-1501 following the arrival of Safavid armies in Baku. This interruption marks a significant shift in local rule and the region's architectural development.
The entrance portal shows Arabic inscriptions in Cufi script alongside decorative patterns of fig and vine leaves that reflect regional artistic traditions.
Visitors can explore multiple chambers spread across different levels, including an octahedral hall, an underground vault, and a well set into the rock base. Wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for narrow passages and stairs that appear throughout the interior spaces.
The underground chamber contains a well that local inhabitants connected to women's health and called the 'milky well.' This local tradition reveals how people over time wove the place into their own beliefs and practices.
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