Russian Dolls - Fountain Square

Another picture from the fountain square area, a hawker selling Russian Dolls. The speciality of the dolls is that each doll contains about a dozen smaller dolls...
Fountain square is in the heart of Baku where all the major outlets are located. Bakuites come to fountain square for shopping and for a leasurely stroll.

Fountain Square

Murals in a park in fountain square, where everybody comes for an evening stroll. A stroll through Fountain Square is a feast for the eyes in summer.

Photos for 10 qopek,,, guys waiting for customers in fountain square in this digital age.

Hyder Aliyev Park

Two views of the Hyder Aliyev park in Baku, with Milli Bank and ATA Bank buldings in the background. I would say this is the best park in Baku, with 3 nice fountains and some beautiful lamp posts...
The glass building is Milli Bank, and the bulding towards the right is ATA Bank bulding.

Fire Temple - 2

Fire temple with flare

The flare

Statistics of visitors

The India Connection - Fire Temple, Baku

Route from India to Azerbaijan used in 15th century

Statue of a Rishi inside the temple...

Pictures from the fire temple in Baku, a historic monument dating back to 15th century preserved in pristine condition. This place has a natural gas outlet which used to burn continuously in the sanctum sanctorum, now being controlled using valves. It was used as a lodging, trading and worship facility by the merchants from India traveling through the Silk Road from 15th century onwards.

Some more pictures to come,,,

Snow Pictures from Baku

Thanks to Shrini, who forwarded some nice shots of snow in Baku. Hear that last couple of weeks have been real bad weather,, temparatures dropping as low as -11 deg C during night time. I miss the Baku snow very much. Generally nothing will move during these days, and all offices will be closed. No work, sit at home with the heaters on...,,,,,,

Moving Statue

This is a picture shot from our company bus in Rashid Babudov street while coming from the city to the fabrication yard in Salyan highway.. Shot and send by one of my dear friend from Baku.

The statue used to stand tall in front of funikyulor - it is a statue of a strong man about to kill a monster Dragon using a huge sword. This picture is taken sometime in early September this year,, guess is that this was transported for maintenance (i doubt), maybe this is abolished for future construction. Some construction is going on in the site where this statue used to be.

Maiden Tower - Baku

Entrance to enter the tower..

Different views of a magnificent structure which dates back to VI to XII centuries still stands high proudly in the centre of Baku city. This can be considered as the best tourist spot in the middle of Baku...

Iceri Seher - New houses

Brand new building just behind the remnants of the old city which is about 700 - 800 years old.

Iceri Seher - Old City - Baku

Pictures of the remnants of the old city of Baku, Azerbaijan. Preserved by Ministry of culture and tourism of Azerbaijan. This was built around VI and XII centuries,,,

The building resemble some assembly hall where people used to gather together for meetings etc. This site is next to the Maiden Tower which is preserved in excellent shape. The photos of which i will post later. The old city area has got lots of new structures, where people live now.

Pigeon Couple enjoying summer in Fountain Square - Baku

Photos of a pigeon couple enjoying the summer in a park near fountain square...

With old city wall in the background
Somehow the lamp post in the background became prominent - out of focus.

Drinking Water Fountain

Potable Water fountain in front of Bak soviet metro station in Baku city. These fountains in different shapes are available in and around Baku. People use them to quench thirst in the summer...

Architecture from Baku - Some Samples

Buildings that beautify Baku City - Captured some of them in Camera.

Soviet Architecture in Baku

Sample of the remnants of Soviet Architecture in Baku City - beautiful buildings in Baku,, 2 government buildings in Targova street at night.

City wall - repeat - in sun light

Repeat post of pictures of the city wall around old city during the day time (Iceri Seher - Baku). The authorities are doing a splendid job of preserving this wall and the other ancient structures in the old city. More photos of Maiden Tower, old city to follow.

Onshore Oil Rigs

Couple of pictures of an onshore oil rig. Lots of specimens can be found in and around Baku, both in working and not working condition. There are onshore fields in Baku with hundreds of rigs, majority of them not working now. Dating back to the good old Soviet times, these fields have become the burial grounds of rusting steel. It is currently an environmental disaster with fields full of oil, and corroding steel. It is high time that the Azerbaijan Government spend a small portion of the oil money to clean up this environmental mess.

Interesting Weighing Machine

Used to see and hear this interesting weighing machine while passing by the main street in fountain square for the last 5 years. The machine invites (non stop) passers by to stop by and check the height and weight out and based on the BMI the machine will judge your eating habits, and provide you with funny diet advise in public. The women dont dare to check it out, as the machine advises aloud in public, and it might cause some heads to turn while overhearing the funny advises,,, like you are eating too much, you need to reduce etc...

City Wall around Iceri Seher (at night)

Pictures at night of the city wall surrounding Iceri Seher aka Old City of Baku - said to be constructed around 12th century.

Baku - Boulevard at night

Set of pictures from my night shoot at the Baku boulevard. Moonlight falling on the Caspian sea, very soothing view.