Back to CNN

This content was paid for by an advertiser and produced by Create, the branded content studio of CNN International Commercial. The news and editorial staff of CNN had no role in its creation.

from eternal flames and mud volcanoes to German heritage and UNESCO sites exploring modern Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a vast country, and its legacy as a key location on the ancient Silk Road still shows in its diverse cultures and traditions. Many of the extraordinary cultural offerings are opening up to foreign tourists. A new visa with a three-day application to approval time means it’s never been easier to explore Azerbaijan

into the fire the burning mountainside of Yanardag

The Azerbaijani people have a special bond with fire – it was considered sacred by the practitioners of the Zoroastrian religion. The extensive oil and gas fields underground have led to astonishing natural fires, including the ever-burning hillside of Yanardag. The fires were a key feature of Zoroastrian worship, and you can hire a guide to take you not only to the hillside but to Ateshgah, the ancient fire temple that has been a site of worship for millennia. To this day, visitors can still see religious inscriptions in Devanagari and Gurmukhi, which originate from the Northern Indian subcontinent, carved above the doorways, and a small bronze Shiva figurine in one of the cells of the temple.

flaming mud volcanoes ancient civilization

Wander through Icherisheher (Old City), a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its labyrinth of cobbled streets. While they may initially be confusing to navigate, they serve historically strategic purposes and lead to key areas of the city: these alleyways take tourists to the main landmarks of the city – the Maiden Tower, old mosques and hammams, and the Shirvanshahs’ Palace.

Close to Baku lies the Gobustan Reserve, where you can see UNESCO listed ancient art. In the area are over 7,000 rock carvings, the oldest of which is 40,000 years old, as well as burial grounds and preserved habitats.

Gobustan is also home to the world’s greatest concentration of mud volcanoes. Mud volcanoes aren’t like normal volcanoes – they range from bubbling pools to 700-metre-high eruptions. Movements beneath the ground allow gases to escape from the volcanoes, which can be set on fire for a brief but dazzling display.

GanjaAzerbaijan’s history in one city

A standout experience in a country filled with cultural gems is the city of Ganja. It’s known for its beautiful, ancient buildings, vibrant youth culture, and culinary delicacies. In the centre of the city, you’ll find architecture from the Safavid, Ganja Khanate, and Russian Imperial periods, as well as examples from the Soviet era.

The Imamzadeh Mausoleum dates from the 14th century and was refurbished in 2016. It’s particularly noted for its blue-tiled dome, featuring exquisite peacock and floral patterns.

You’ll also want to explore in and around Khan’s Park, an area that encompasses the Shah Abbas Mosque complex and Safavid-era baths. You can also see the mausoleum of the last Ganja shah, and the Khan’s Garden, a six-hectare oasis in the heart of the city.

While you’re in Ganja, you should also make time to experience its regional cuisine. Ganja pakhlava is infused with a sorbet made from honey, cardamom, cloves, saffron and rose water, filled with peeled walnuts, and coated with saffron syrup. Each is then decorated with nuts or almonds, or white poppy seeds in some villages.

Sheki jewel in the cultural crown

Even Azerbaijanis from other cities will tell you that Sheki is one of the jewels in their country’s cultural crown. Nestled in the forested slopes of the Greater Caucasus mountains, it’s steeped in Silk Road history, and is famed for its architecture and hospitality. The historical centre of the city along with Sheki Khan’s Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can wander along the cobbled streets of ancient buildings. Sheki is a place where traditional crafts are still practiced. Watch artisans paint silks and stained glass, before shopping in the local workshops and studios.

go Deutsch in Shamkir

Shamkir is so famed in Azerbaijan for its production of world-class fruits and vegetables that it is known in the country as the ´Greenhouse of Azerbaijan’. Historically, Shamkir was once a stopping point on the Silk Road, and the impressive remains of the long-abandoned city are just 10 kilometers away and make for an interesting day trip. Modern Shamkir, along with Goygol, Dashkesen and Gadabay have been influenced by the German settlers who emigrated to this western region in 1819, giving the city a German feel. They brought their skills in winemaking, pickling, and architecture, leaving a legacy that can be experienced even now, hundreds of years later.

explore the cultural treasures of Azerbaijan today