Nardaran_Fortress
Nardaran Fortress (Azerbaijani: Nardaran qalası) was built in 1301 by architect Mahmud ibn Sa'd in the northern part of Absheron Peninsula.[1][2] Nardaran Fortress is located 25 km north of Baku in the village of Nardaran near the town of Mashtaga. Shirvanshahs used the fortress for both observation and defense. Nardaran Mosque or Rahimakhanim sanctuary which was built in 1663 is located about 200 m from the fortress.[3]
An inscription on Nardaran fortress, which was translated by A.A.Alasgarzade, says:
“In the name of the all-merciful Allah! Mother…Barikat…ordered to build this building on her own means and dirhams for beholding Allah, to please him and to deserve all his rewards. On the date of Ramadan of the 700th year “(700-1301)”. |
But the geographical location of Nardaran Fortress indicates that there couldn't be a foremost defense. Similar fortresses were built there, from where it was expected to be attacked. Such regions were in the western borders and seashores of Absheron. But Nardaran Fortress was too far from the western borders of Absheron and also its seashores.[1]
On October 24, 2001, Nardaran fortress was included on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.[4]