Maiden Tower (Baku)

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This article is about the tower in old town Baku, Azerbaijan. For the tower near Istanbul, Turkey in the Bosphorus strait, see Kız Kulesi(Maiden's Tower).

Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower*
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Type	Cultural
Criteria	iv
Reference	958
Region†	Europe
Inscription history
Inscription	2000 (24th Session)
Endangered	2003-
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO.

The Maiden Tower (Azeri: Qız Qalası, Russian: Девичья башня; old name: Göz Qalası - "The Eye Tower"), is a tower in Old City, old town Baku, originally on the shore of the Caspian Sea. Due to land reclamation in the early 20th century the tower is now separated from the Caspian by a busy main road and public gardens.

The Maiden Tower in old town Baku

It was constructed in the 12th century, or possibly earlier - its architectural style and construction sequence is obscure, and estimates for its age go back to an unlikely 2,500 years. It was built by the 12th century architect Masud ibn Davud, who was probably the father of the architect of Mardakan Round Tower (not to confuse with Mardakan castle)^[1].

There are a number of competing explanations for the name:

A legend concerning a maiden who threw herself off its top, to her death in the waves below.
The fact that the tower has never been taken by force.
Some historians relate it to Oghuz Turks
Some consider that it was once a Watch Tower [Göz Qalası]

Maiden Tower by night

Information plate of the Maiden Tower

The Maiden Tower is a noted landmark and one of Azerbaijan's most distinctive national emblems, to be seen on Azeri currency notes and other official pieces of paper. It houses a museum and a gift shop. The view from the roof takes in the alleys and minarets of the Old City, the Maritime National Park, the De Gaulle house and a wide vista of the Baku Bay. In recent years the brazier on the top has been lit during the nights of the Novrous festival.