Religious Diversity

Religious Diversity

Being an Islamic state, Azerbaijan has many beautiful mosques and other religious buildings. Our tour of religious diversity will also be dedicated to the fact that ,besides the people, practicing Islam, Baku was also inhabited by dozens of different peoples, belonging to other religions, and, as a result, churches, synagogues and other temples were built here.The tour begins with the most grandiose mosques - Bibi Eybat, Heydar Mosque and Taza Pir, reflecting all the pomposity and grandeur of the East. The tour will go on with visiting three very ancient and important churches, as St. Mary’s church, The Cathedral of the Holy Myrrhbearers of God and the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Holy Virgin. Enjoying the contrast between the Islamic and Christian world, we will end our tour with two Baku synagogues of Georgian and Mountain Jews, and the synagogue of European Jews.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Bibi-Heybat Mosque, Baku Azerbaijan

The Bibi-Heybat Mosque on the outskirts of Baku has an unusual history. First of all, it was built to honor the sister of the 7th Shiite Imam, Ali, and secondly, when the mosque was destroyed during Stalin's rule, legends arose about a woman wrapped in white disappearing down into the sea who would return when times got better. The legends that have grown up around the Bibi-Heybat Mosque are examples of how such narratives in the minds of the community can influence reality later on. A new Mosque has recently been constructed on the same spot and dedicated in July 1998.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Heydar Mosque, Hamza Babashov St., Baku 1107 Azerbaijan

One of the grand architectural projects of recent times is the Mosque of Heydar Aliyev with four minarets, was built in Baku in the architectural style of Shirvan-Absheron .This mosque is not the largest construction cult-religious architecture only in Azerbaijan, at the same time in the entire South Caucasus. The area of Heydar Aliyev Mosque is 12,000 square meters, the height of the four minarets is 95 meters. The large and small domes of the mosque is 55 and 33 meters high, respectively. The facade of the mosque is made of special stone style of Shirvanshah architecture and interior decoration is made of marble and wood.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Taza Pir Mosque, Mirza Fatali Akhubdov St., 7, Baku Azerbaijan

Taza Pir Mosque (also Tazapir, Teze Pir, Teze-Pir, Tezepir) is a mosque in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was finished in 1914 and built in honour of the philanthropist.

Construction of the mosque was started in 1905 by architect Zivar bey Ahmadbeyov under the patronage of Nabat Khanum Ashurbayova. After the death of the patron, the construction was suspended. Soon, however, it resumed with the support of her son and was completed in 1914.

Only 3 years after opening the mosque was closed in connection with the October Revolution in 1917. Over the years the mosque functioned as a cinema and a barn, and since 1943 to present day - as a mosque. Akhund of the mosque is the Grand Mufti of the Caucasus Allahshukur Pashazadeh.

Interior of the mosque has an area of 1400 square meters and decorated with ornaments of painting schools of Azerbaijan plus with samples from eastern ornaments. The height of the dome and a half meters. The mihrab and dome of the mosque made of marble, while decorative elements of the mosque, the tops of minarets and labels are made of gold.

The dome, on which 6 times written La ilaha ilallah from Muslim proclamation of faith or Shahada, made from Qyzylqaya (Gyzylgaya) stone.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Synagogue of the Ashkenazi Jews, 171 Dilara Aliyeva Street, Baku Azerbaijan

Synagogue of the Ashkenazi Jews in Baku is a synagogue in Baku. It is located in the center of the city.

In 1946, a building of former depot of the civil defense on the corner of Korganov (now Rasul Rza) and Pervomayskaya (now Dilara Aliyeva) Streets in a semi-basement place was allocated for the present synagogue. The building was repaired and re-equipped for needs of communities together with a community of Georgian Jews of Azerbaijan. Two praying halls were built there: a big one for the Ashkenazi Jews and a small one for Georgian Jews. Means were collected in the result of voluntary donations donated by Azerbaijani Jews. In 2002, it was decided to build a new building for the synagogue. Opening of the new synagogue was held on March 9, 2003. At present, Shneor Segal is the Rabbi of the synagogue.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Church of the Saviour, 28 May, Baku Azerbaijan

Was built in 2006 according to the Italian architect Paolo Rujero’s project in the modern style with elements of New Gothic. The statue of the Virgin Mary by local sculptors was set up over the entrance of the Church which has 200 benches. On 29th April, 2007 the Apostolic Nuncio in Transcaucasia Monsignor Claudio Gujerotty administered the rite of consecration of the Church.

The Church was able to be built thanks to Pope John Paul the Second’s visit to our country in 2002. The plot of land for building was presented to the Church by Azerbaijan President Heydar Aliev.

Duration: 30 minutes