Mardakan is an urban village, located in 34 kilometers from Baku, and has ancient and rich history. The first stop of the tourists will be in the sanctuary - the tomb of Pir Hasan, shrine for many believers. Pir Hasan is a mausoleum, that was created in the XVI century. There are the mausoleum of the seventh daughter of Imam Musa al-Kyazimi Hazrati Khadija buried on this place and the mausoleum of Pir Hasan in the courtyard of the sanctuary.

Also the famous Azerbaijani philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev and his daughter Sarah Khanum are buried here.

It is an interesting fact, that this place is known among Azerjaijanis as a place of rescue of fright neurosis, which is cured by the old childag method (treatment with hot coals).

There is a famous Mardakan fortress, a quadrangular castle (Mardakan) located in the village. The facility was built by Ahsitan I, the son of Shirvanshah Manouchehr III, and dates to the XIV century. The fortress was built in honor of the brilliant victory of Akhsitan over the enemy. The fortress is 22 m high and the thickness of the walls is up to 2.1 m, inside the fortress is divided into five layers.

In the last part of the excursion the tourists will also see another sight - the former summer residence of the oil millionaire of the end of XIX – the beginning of XX centuries  - Murtuza Mukhtarov. The residence is equipped with its unique system of interconnected wells and pools, outstanding architectural structures, exotic plants and animals. In olden times the residence was a true paradise place among Absheron waterless saline steppes.

Today Mardakan Arboretum of National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan is located on the place of the former cottage of Murtuza Mukhtarov. And on the territory of the Arboretum visitors can see a small three-room pavilion, in which a house-museum of the Russian poet Sergey Yesenin is situated.

Today on the site of the former summer residence Murtuza Mukhtarov the Mardakan Arboretum of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan was set up.

Also on the territory of the arboretum, visitors can see a small two-bedroom pavilion, which is a house-museum of Russian poet Sergei Yesenin.

Many years ago there used to be the shade of pine and plane trees, surrounded by magnificent gardens, and the poet drew inspiration for his famous poem cycle "Persian motifs".

Return to Baku. 

Route:  Drive to Mardakan village => excursion to Pir Hasan => excursion to Mardakan fortress => excursion to Mardakan Arboretum => return to the hotel 

The tour price includes:

• Transportation
• Guide services