Maiden Tower of Baku

it is a common belief that the Maiden Tower dates to the Seijuk Empire. The Maiden Tower, built at the harbor, differs from others as regards its structure and materials. The Tower is 30 meters high, and was constructed by the architect Mesud ibn Da'ud in the 12th century.

The walls of the tower show several phases of construction. The tower, built of courses of finelycut stones, has a cylindrical shape with 8 floors. The connections between the floors are provided through staircases, which are tike those in minarets. Historical artffacts are exhibited in the rooms on each floor. At the top is a parapet without indents. The signature of the architect is in the middle part, to the west.

The tower was originally at the seafront. in the construction of the walls, facing stones were used in the lower part, and in the upper part, courses of small protruding stones were used. On the westem side of the tower is a one-line inscription which reads: 'The Tower of Mesud, the son of Da'ud". it cannot be determined if this refers to the architect ar the patron.

The upper spaces of each floor of the castle are covered with low domes. inside the tower, there is a well, the top of which is on the 3rd floor. Alsa, it has been said that there are secret passages that lead to the palace of Shirvanshah.

The construction date of the tower is under debate. Some say that it dates to the era of the Sasanians (6tfı.7th centuries), while others claim it dates back to 1192, to the era of the Shirvanshah (Seğuk Empire}. The widely accepted date is the end of the 12th century.