2 A City of Contrasts and Continuity

Walking through Baku today conveys a strong sense of movement across historical layers, as the city’s architecture encapsulates successive eras within a single urban landscape. The Maiden Tower evokes ancient and unresolved origins, while the Palace of the Shirvanshahs reflects the refined cultural expression of the medieval period. Broad boulevards shaped during the oil boom recall the character of European capitals, whereas Soviet-era districts testify to the scale and ambition of centrally planned urban development. In contrast, contemporary landmarks signal a city oriented confidently toward the future. Taken together, Baku’s architecture functions not merely as a chronological record but as a reflection of the city’s evolving identity—ambitious, multicultural, and continuously adaptive.