Numerous fortresses, locks and towers of Absheron which kept since ancient times, testify that the peninsula was one of the most strengthened areas of Azerbaijan. All these strategic objects cause burning interest not only tourists, but also local residents. The former military strongholds nowadays have turned to objects of excursion routes and scientific researches; however they up to the present have not opened all secrets. The majority of locks have started to be erected in XII-XIII centuries on places where located the resort settlements of Absheron - Mardakan, Ramany, Shagan, Nardaran, etc.
They were unapproachable and adapted to long siege. The majestic lock-fortress in height of 22 meters was kept in Mardakan settlement. It has 5 circles and is surrounded by the powerful trunk. The lock incorporated to other fortresses a underground course. Nearby there is a tower erected in 1203. It is round unlike terrible quadrangular "neighbor". And the district received its name from lived there the tribe of "mardaks", the courageous soldiers. The etymology of an origin of the name of Ramany village is original. It means "The Roman village"; in I century the Roman centurions stopped here. There are fantastic lock towers on a crest of a hill. It is constructed in XIV century and 15-meter tower alarm fires were lit. In Shagan village there are ruins of watchtower of XII-XIII centuries. It was narrow and high as minarets. In bowels under a tower was kept the secret passage informed with vaults of other locks and towers. Many tourists come here not only for survey of a monument of architecture, but also for visiting the mausoleum.
Located on the Apsheron peninsula (Abseron Yasaqligi) north-east of Baku, Mardakan is a small town of flat roofs, named after the ancient tribe of the Mards.
Mardakan's main attraction is its castles . There are two of them, one with a round tower, and a larger one with a square tower. The larger castle dates from the 14th century and is immediately visible as you approach Mardakan, although it is not built on a hill. This tower is about 25 m exhibition dedicated to the castles in the Apsheron peninsula. The smaller castle was built in the 13th century and its design is similar to that of the Ramana castle (between Baku and the airport): a round central tower surrounded by a wall. An inscription names Abdulmajid Ibn Masud as the architect. (Tthere is a fourth castle at Nardaran).
Other interesting info on Absheron towers and castles:
Tower of Nardaran >>>Maiden Tower >>>Castles and Towers of Absheron >>>
