The Heydar Aliyev Center (Azerbaijani: Heydər Əliyev Mərkəzi) is a 57,500 m2 (619,000 sq ft) building complex in Baku, Azerbaijan, designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid and noted for its distinctive architecture and flowing, curved style that eschews sharp angles.[2] The main contractor, Dia Holdings, is owned by actors that are linked to Azerbaijan's ruling Aliyev family's network of offshore companies.
The center is named after Heydar Aliyev (1923–2003), the first secretary of Soviet Azerbaijan from 1969 to 1982, and president of Azerbaijan Republic from October 1993 to October 2003.
The Quadrangular Mardakan Fortress or the Great Mardakan Castle (Azerbaijani: Dördkünc Mərdəkan qalası or Azerbaijani: Böyük Mərdəkan qəsri) is a historical and architectural monument located in the Mardakan settlement of the Khazar district in Baku. It is included by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan (currently - the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan) in the list of monuments of world importance.[1] In 2001, along with other objects of the coastal defence of the Caspian Sea, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Reserve List.
History
Postage stamp (1999)
The Great Mardakan Castle was built in 1187-1188 at the order of the Shirvanshah Akhsitan I. At various times, the fortress, built in the honour of the brilliant victory of Akhsitan over the enemy, was used as a defensive structure, as an observation post and as a castle.
The Tuba-Shahi Mosque (Azerbaijani: Tuba-Şahi məscidi) is a historical and architectural monument of the 15th century located in the Mardakan village of the Khazar district in Baku (Azerbaijan). The mosque is included in the list of the historical and architectural monuments of local importance approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan.[1] It was built not far from the Quadrangular Mardakan Castle dating back to the era of the Shirvanshahs.
The mosque is named after Tuba Shahi, a woman who commissioned the construction of the edifice. The inscription on the mosque indicates that it was built in 1481-1482. In 1720-1721 at the order of Muhammad Khan, the Baku Khan, restoration works were carried out in the building.
The mosque has a clearly defined volume in the form of a parallelepiped completed with a dome. The central part of the prayer hall is covered with a dome resting on sails. On four sides, the central prayer hall is adjoined by lateral rectangular rooms.
History
The mosque is named after Tuba Shahi, a woman who commissioned the construction of the edifice. The inscription on the mosque indicates that it was built in 1481-1482.[4] Another inscription is located at the entrance to a narrow spiral staircase leading to the roof.[4] This inscription, obviously belonging to an older mosque in the village, indicates the time of its construction – Muharram 774 AH (1372) and carries the name of the customer - Sadr Haji Baha-ad-Din, son of Khoja Nur-ad-Din, son of Mahmud Abayil.
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