Icherisheher

Icherisheher, also spelled Icheri Sheher or İçəri Şəhər, is the historic core of Baku, Azerbaijan. It is a medieval walled city that forms the oldest part of the capital and contains several of its most important monuments.

The Old City is located in central Baku, on a promontory overlooking the Caspian Sea. It is enclosed by defensive walls and gates, and its principal monuments include the Maiden Tower (Giz Galasi) and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a 15th-century court complex. Within its narrow streets are mosques, caravanserais, baths, and traditional houses that illustrate medieval urban life.

Historically, Icherisheher represents Baku’s urban core from the medieval era. The fortress and surrounding

residential quarters developed between the 12th and 16th centuries under the Shirvanshahs and other rulers. The area has endured fires, earthquakes, and modernization, and was the focus of extensive restoration in the late 20th century to preserve its historical fabric.

In 2000, Icherisheher was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the "Walled City of Baku and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs." The designation recognizes its exceptional medieval Islamic urban landscape, architectural variety, and its cultural significance in the region.

Today, the Old City remains a living historic district and a major tourist attraction in Baku. Visitors can explore its preserved monuments, learn about the city’s past, and observe how the historic core sits beside modern landmarks along the Caspian coast.

Etymology: the name means "Inner City" in Azerbaijani.