Bottle House of Ganja: Exceptional, Unusual and Rare

Many places in Azerbaijan can take travelers aback. But few are as quirky and unexpected as the Bottle House of Ganja.

At first glance, it might look like just another small-town building. But once you hear its story and look more closely, you’ll definitely notice its exceptional, unusual, and rare sides.

And what you’ll find is this: a private home made from over 48,000 glass bottles of different shapes and colors.

Built by a local man as a tribute to his brother, the House of Bottles became one of Ganja’s most iconic attractions.

You won’t find this level of detail, effort, and symbolism just anywhere. 

Believe it or not, you cannot experience that vibe even at famous architectural wonders on Earth as well.

So, if you’re curious to know more about this construction or want to add it to your tour itinerary, here’s what this compact article will walk you through:

Its origin story and the man behind it;

The design choices that make it unique;

And what to expect when visiting there.

Now, ready to explore one of Azerbaijan’s most unusual handmade landmarks?

Then let’s jump in.

The Origin Story of the Bottle House in Ganja

As a matter of fact, the first floor of this house was built back in the 1950s.

And it's made entirely of river stone and red brick. But the story of the actual Bottle House (butulka ev in Azeri) in Ganja city really starts in 1966: 

With the fantasy of a man named Ibrahim Jafarov, who was once a local resident of old Ganja; the meaningful and somewhat heartbreaking fantasy.

An interesting part of that story, though, is that Ibrahim wasn’t an architect or builder by profession.

But the desire and passion that drove Ibrahim enabled him, somehow, to do the task better than the best architects.

So what was the trigger behind that effort?

Ibrahim Jafarov built the 2nd floor out of thousands of different bottles in honor of his brother, Yusif Jafarov, in 1966-67.

The two brothers had joined the military in the middle of World War II.

Unfortunately, 26-year-old Yusif didn’t manage to make it back.

Eventually, that sad situation caused Ibrahim to become an alcoholic.

He was collecting his alcohol bottles on one side of the yard. 

Because he was believing his brother would return home one day.

And that’s why he decided to build a house with colorful bottles: to keep his beloved brother’s memory alive and prevent his name from being erased from history.

At least for a while, he seems to have managed.

The Architecture of the Bottle House of Ganja

The architecture and decoration of the Bottle House of Ganja are unlike anything else you’ll see in Azerbaijan.

Or perhaps anywhere else on Earth, without exaggerating.

In constructing the second floor, the house uses a small amount of rainbow stones from Sochi and cement, as well as vodka and wine bottles, medicine vials, vinegar bottles, and flasks of various sizes and colors. 

Which have been drunk, used and emptied for years.

Some bottles are green, others are brown, and a few are crystal-clear, but all carefully arranged in geometric patterns. No plastic bottles. No Jack Daniels bottles.

I mean, where would Ibrahim even have found them during the Iron Curtain times of Yelizavetpol, though?.

Soi-disant, it took nearly two years for Ibrahim to finish the bottle walls of the house, and he did everything by hand.

No machines, no construction crew. Just a man with a personal mission and a lot of determination.

Apart from the bottles, this house’s construction itself stands out for its unique design.

You'll see the word "Ganja" written in various places on the house.

There is a date on the front porch wall that shows when the building with bottles was constructed.

There’s also a large photo of Ibrahim's lost brother, on the other side of the roof.

On the side, you’ll see inscriptions on the balcony wall celebrating the 1980 Olympic Games held in the USSR as well.

But the most interesting thing is the image and inscription on the back of the building.

Here, an armed Soviet soldier is depicted on a stone wall, and the following words are inscribed in Russian:

"Слава вечная Родине за Неизвестного Солдата", which means in English "Eternal glory to the Motherland for the Unknown Soldier".

What to Expect When Visiting the Glass Bottle House in Ganja

First things first, location-wise, this Ganja House is right in the city center.

For example, it’s no more than 700 meters between it and the Shah Abbas Mosque.

That’s perfect for those who want to tour Ganja, hitting two birds with one stone.

Secondly, you should know that this is not a museum like the Bottle House Museum in Kaleva, Michigan. This is a private property, so you can’t go inside without permission from the family.

If you don’t want to see the bottle wall construction on the second floor up close and just want to enjoy the vibe, it’s completely free to view from the outside.

The atmosphere is quiet, peaceful, and ideal for taking perfect shots of the bottle patterns.

So, if you're into photography, this place offers a great chance to capture unique colors and reflections in daylight.

Shortly, don’t expect a traditional museum experience. Nonetheless do expect something creative, personal, and visually striking.

That’s what makes visiting the Bottle House of Ganja so special.

Have a nice visit!

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