Maiden Tower

I have written about the Maiden Tower previously in my blog (http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/12212/A-Short-Time-in-Baku-Baku-4), but I have yet to venture into the historical dwelling until recently. My friend Aysel insisted that we go there, so I finally went. It is funny thinking how I have delayed in going there. It is kind of like when I lived in Seattle and refused to go to the top of the Space Needle because only tourist did that. But here, everyone goes to the top of Maiden Tower. It is the place everyone visiting Baku must see and is a source of pride for the Azeri population.

It is very inexpensive to get in -- only 2 manats (about $2.50). You have to go up a winding spiral staircase for the first few floors before getting to stone steps. On various floors are different items of interests ranging from metalware to fighting weapons to an escape port that is reported to lead to the Caspian.

Eventually we made it up to the top. The climb was not that bad. When we made it to the top and the police officer there was kind enough to show us around and answer our questions. One of the greatest thing about the tower is that it does offer a 360 degree panoramic view of Baku, which you do not get from other areas areas which offer great views of the city (e.g. Martyr's Alley and the top of the ISR Plaza). After taking some photos, we headed back down and ventured through the Old City.

Overall, Maiden Tower is a must-see in Baku even if you only see the outside. There is a lot of history and folklore which accompany it and it is considered by many of the locals as the most important historical representation of Baku.