Big Castle Tower of Mardakan

Located at tfıe east of Baku, on tfıe Absheron Peninsula, tfıe Tower covers a large area lying between various houses. The Tuba Shaxi Mosque, built in 1482, is located at the northern face of the castle tower.

The castle tower consists of an indented, square-shaped exterior rampart supported by semiôrcular towers at the corners, and anotfıer tall, square-shaped main tower built in tfıe middle of the castfe. The entrance ta the castfe is through a gate supported by two semicircular towers, located in tfıe middle of tfıe nortfıem facade. The space which held the original inscription plaque above the lancet gate is empty. According ta sources, tfıe inscription plaque, dated H.583 (1187) was moved ta The State Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg in 1852.

Underground cistems and stores far supplies are located between the exterior rampart and main outer rampart of the main tower. The entrance ta the main tower is through tfıe middle of the westem front. The tower is square-shaped and has semicircular side towers. The main tower of five floors has small windows.

The Big Castfe of Mardakan dates ta 1187, during the era of tfıe Seljuk Empire. Battı the exterior ramparts and the outer side of the footpath of the main tower have cascading stone cantilevers. The upper part of the indented area forms a lancet arch.

The castfe has stonemasonry comprised of neatlycut, pitch.faced stones. Figural tomb stones, inscriptions and architectural artifacts have been preserved in the castle, which was renovated between 1952 and 1958.