Story of Highland Park Baku
History of Upland Park Baku, for better or worse, goes all the way back to the late 1900s.
Back then, there’re 2 cemeteries for Muslims and Christians.
Besides the graves of the residents of old Baku, the hill was also the resting place of the victims of the Armenian-Azeri massacre of 1918.
Turkish and British soldiers who died in the battle for Baku were also buried in the cemetery in September 1918.
In 1999, a memorial obelisk (Turkish Martyrs' Memorial) was raised at this site for the brave Turkish soldiers.
Today, there’s a British Military Memorial within the park as well.
That's why, it’s also called the English Park back in the early 1900s.
After the collapse of the Russian Empire, the Soviets began building a park here in the 1930s to erase the traces of the Bolsheviks’ massacre.
Architect Lev Ilyin was the one who designed the park.
Since they’re short on stones to build the park, the Soviet government didn't hesitate to use the tombstones of the destroyed graves.
With the assassination of Bolshevik Sergei Kirov, a monument was erected in the park in 1939 to immortalize his name.
Kirov’s monument was on a high terrace with a view of Baku Bay, the best part of the park overlooking the city.
Not anymore.
For decades, Highland Park in Baku was also called Kirov Park, until the fall of the Soviet Union.
In January 1990, during the collapse of the USSR, Baku experienced another horror.
Like they did 72 years ago, they intervened militarily in Baku under pretexts.
On the night of January 19 to 20, the Red Army stormed the city, killing 168 innocent civilians.
After Azerbaijan's independence, in a weird twist of history, part of the park once again became a resting place for hundreds of people.
Things to Do in Highland Park
As the name implies, Baku's Highland Park (Dağüstü Park in Azeri) is the highest point in the city.
By the way, Baku's landmark Flame Towers are also located in this area.
The first thing to do in the park is to visit the panoramic terrace.
Local people also call this terrace “Baxış Meydançası”, which means “Viewing Ground”.
Because from here, a beautiful panoramic view of the city and Baku Bay opens up.
You can see a bird’s-eye view of Baku’s best spots like the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, Maiden’s Tower, Devil’s Wheel, the pier with the Caspian Sea cruise ship, etc.
Another main attraction is a big hollow rock called Pirvanzara (Pirkən-Zarı) on the left side of the stairs going into the park.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, there’s a belief among the Muslim population that this rectangular hollowed piece of rock had miraculous powers.
Martyrs' Lane is also a must-see place on the west side of the park to pay tribute to Azerbaijan's heroes.
It’s a memorial cemetery for those killed during the 1990 Black January massacre and the Nagorno-Karabakh War.
At the other end of the lane, there is an Eternal Flame monument too.
Apart from that, there is an Ottoman-style mosque, built in 1996, called the Mosque of the Martyrs.
You can see it on the right as soon as you get off the Baku Funicular.
Right in front of the funicular exit is the grave monument of Hazi Aslanov, the hero of WWII.
If you've burnt off enough calories after strolling around the park, there're also two restaurants on the main patio.
Long story short, there are tons of things to do within the park area.
Not to mention the Green Theater and Gulistan Palace.
So, this place alone is reason enough to visit Baku.
How to Get to Highland Park Baku
First of all, Highland Park Baku is open to visitors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
And there’s no entrance fee or ticket to visit the park.
Second of all, the park is so close to Baku's heart.
That is to say, it's easily accessible from the city center.
Say you're on Nizami Street and want to go to the park.
A taxi ride from Nizami Street to here will take about max. 5-10 minutes.
You can easily find a cab using taxi apps like Bolt or Yango.
I don't recommend the public bus for newcomers. It might be a bit confusing.
Rather than taking the bus, it’d be much better to get to the park on foot.
It’ll take about a 25-minute walk from Icherisheher Metro Station.
After all, you’ll somehow get there, and the important part begins later on.
If you're coming here by car from Parliament Ave or Mehdi Huseyn Street, there is no problem.
You can get there easily as it is.
But if your route is on Lermontov Street, you'll have 2 options in front of you.
#1 is to climb nearly 600 steps.
#2 is to take the Baku Funicular.
If you're a bit tired, taking the Funicular might be a more reasonable option.
This way, you'll add one more item to your list of things to do in Baku.
You can take it for just 1 AZN (60 cents) from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Just bear in mind that it’s closed for a break from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., except on Mondays.
Have a great view from Dagustu Park.
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