Baku Boulevard in Baku Azerbaijan. Secrets of Baku: The Long History of Primorsky Boulevard. Baku Boulevard on video - YouTube

Baku Seaside Boulevard is one of the attractions of Baku, favorite place recreation for Baku residents and city guests. In 2009, he celebrated his 100th anniversary. The length of the park is about this moment 9 km 700 meters, after general reconstruction it will be 25 km.
Start of construction
The history of the Baku boulevard dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, when the Baku city government repeatedly discussed the issue of creating a seaside boulevard. But only in 1909 were concrete steps taken, initiated by the Azerbaijani engineer Mamedhasan Hajinsky. The city authorities allocated 600,000 rubles for the construction of the boulevard. Baku patrons also provided material support. The city authorities announced a competition for the best project, in which about 30 specialists took part, including prominent architects and civil engineers. The winner of the competition was G. M. Termikelov. First, the coastal area located between the pier of the Caucasus and Mercury society and the house of Seid Mirbabaev was landscaped. Nowadays this territory stretches from the Puppet Theater to Azneft Square. Territories were cleared, trees and shrubs were planted, and flower beds were laid out. According to the design of engineer N. Baev, a bathhouse was also built on the boulevard, which looked like a fairy tale summer palace. In the 40s, due to rising water levels in the Caspian Sea and partial reconstruction of the boulevard, the bathhouse was liquidated. By the beginning of the 50s, the length of Primorsky Boulevard was already 2.7 km, from the ship repair plant. "Paris Commune" to the new marine passenger station.
70s and 80s
In 1966, according to the design of the architect M. Huseynov, on Primorsky Boulevard, in the area of ​​​​Azadlyg Square, an area open to the sea was created, which ended with descents to the sea, decorated with parterre greenery, flower beds and a cascade of fountains. In 1967, M. Huseynov was trained new project reconstruction of the entire Primorsky Boulevard. Due to a significant decrease in the level of the Caspian Sea, which reached its level in 1977 lowest point, as a result of which a wide strip of the former seabed was exposed, work was undertaken to create a second lower terrace of the Seaside Park, where alleys, lawns and fountains were built.
90s
Due to a sharp rise in the level of the Caspian Sea in the 90s, a significant part of the Primorsky Park was flooded, including the walking overpass, boat pier and yacht club. As a result of the reconstruction work, the lower terrace of the boulevard was raised by several meters.
Recent history
In 2007, in the Primorsky Park, opposite Azneft Square, a musical fountain, which has no analogues in the world, was opened. In 2008, construction of the second fountain, built opposite the Government House, was completed. 15 attractions, the Mirvari cafe, the Bahar cinema, a summer children's theater and a parachute tower, built on the initiative of the former mayor of Baku Alisha Lemberansky, were updated and restored.
In connection with the presidential decree, a general reconstruction of the Seaside Park began in 2008, for which the Baku City Hall will allocate 500 million US dollars. The territory of the Primorsky Park will be increased fivefold. Its length will stretch from the sea station to the village of Zykh and from the Palace of Hand Games to the Bibi-Heybat Mosque. Large-scale reconstruction will be completed before 2015.
Governmental support
By order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev dated December 29, 1998, Primorsky Boulevard was given the status of a National Park.
By decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dated January 10, 2008, taking into account the importance of Primorsky Boulevard for the history, culture and environmental safety of the people, the Primorsky Boulevard Department was created under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Republic. In accordance with this decree, the capital improvement of Primorsky Boulevard was started national park.

O. BULANOVA

Primorsky Boulevard is truly the sea facade of Baku, which for almost two centuries determined the face of the capital of Azerbaijan.

The history of Primorsky Boulevard, including the embankment, which was in different years different names, incredibly interesting. In 2009, the centenary of the boulevard was solemnly celebrated, but its history is much longer.

Conversations about the need for an embankment in Baku have been going on for a long time, various options were discussed.

According to the original version of the project, between the fortress wall that surrounded Icheri-Shekher from the sea and the buildings behind it, it was planned to lay a street of unprecedented width for that time - 18 m. On one side, the street would be limited by the fortress wall, on the other side by the rear facades of the buildings . With significant differences in elevation, the new street would not be able to play a significant role in the city and would be architecturally inexpressive.

Therefore, in 1865, the Baku military governor and manager of the civil part, Lieutenant General Mikhail Petrovich Kolyubakin, submitted a petition to demolish a section of the old fortress wall, which separated Icheri Sheher from the sea coast and “with its uselessness impeded the free movement of air.” Permission was obtained and the wall was demolished.

However, after the demolition of the wall, the need for architectural design of the embankment immediately began to be felt. Therefore, the proceeds from the sale of the stone from the demolished wall (44 thousand rubles) were “used for the construction of a pier,” newspapers of those years wrote, “and an elegant stone embankment, which was soon decorated with a number of beautiful private houses.”

Baku owes its first improvement to the architect Karl Gippius, who, by the way, defended the Palace of the Shirvanshahs when they tried to adapt it as a city prison. K. Gippius participated in the formation of a number of streets and in the design of the first houses on the embankment. Connoisseurs and historians are well aware of his watercolor of 1867, which depicts the embankment and the houses on it, including the governor’s house (later it housed a medical workers’ club with an attached third floor, and later the Four Seasons Hotel was built on this site).

Baths and general view of the boulevard (1917)

The construction of the embankment was undertaken by the Azerbaijani architect Gasymbek Hajibababekov (1811-1874). The ancient Maiden Tower - the symbol of Baku - then played the role of a lighthouse, and it is difficult to say whether this one would have survived to this day amazing monument, if not for this circumstance.

G. Hajibababekov carried out significant engineering and planning work on the improvement of the embankment, was involved in its construction and issues of supplying fresh water.

In 1867, according to his design, a water fountain (also visible in the watercolor by K. Gippius) and other structures were built on the future Azneft Square, a wide sidewalk lined with trees was planned, and alleys 13 m wide were planned between sections of private property. from the embankment there were views of the expressive architecture of the Baku fortress - Icheri Sheher.

After this, the embankment received the status of a boulevard, which, according to contemporaries, became a decoration of the city. It must be said that the embankment was the object of close attention of the city authorities also because the governor’s house was located on it. In 1882, it was planned to build a boulevard on the embankment, designed by the architect A. Koshkin.

But despite all the efforts, the embankment still remained not the most attractive and comfortable part of the city, because it housed numerous private piers of trading firms and shipping companies with warehouses and other buildings that cluttered and polluted the seashore so much that even the activities carried out on it the improvement was reduced to nothing.

For example, the shipping company "Caucasus and Mercury" built a pier and a number of other structures on the embankment, dividing the coastal strip into two parts: Alexandrovskaya embankment (in honor of Emperor Alexander II) was located along Icheri-Sheher approximately from the future Azneft Square to the future Theater dolls, which, of course, did not exist then, and Petrovskaya, who was walking to east direction further along coastline.

Therefore, in 1897, a barrier was built that separated a 50 m wide area from the sea, clearly marking the boulevard as an integral architectural structure.

In 1900, the city's Garden Commission decided to build a large nursery for ornamental trees on the embankment, and from that moment on, active landscaping of the boulevard began. A detailed landscaping project, taking into account the width of the alleys and their length, types of trees, shrubs, etc., was drawn up by civil engineer (architect) Kazimir Skurevich, a Pole in the Russian service, together with the city gardener Vasiliev.

In the first years of the twentieth century. The boulevard already had a rather attractive appearance, the embankment continued to be captivated by piers and berths. For turning the embankment into a beautiful one transport route, as well as a place of recreation and a city park, the mayors took over only in 1909, and this date is considered the official year of the “birth” of the Baku Boulevard. As the Caspian newspaper reported in issue No. 77 of 1909, “The Duma allocated 10 thousand rubles for the construction of a boulevard on the embankment.”

The talented engineer Mamed-Hasan Gadzhinsky took up the noble task of improvement; The German architect Adolf Eichler also took part. Projects were drawn up for large pavilions on the embankment in the Art Nouveau style under the loud names “Olympia” for the cinema and the Eldorado restaurant, fountains and gazebos, as well as stairs leading to the sea.

The boulevard did not yet turn out to be very long: the plans of the organizers very quickly collided with the interests of big capital - there were few people willing to sacrifice their docks, warehouses and marinas. Therefore, at first the coastal area was landscaped, located between the pier of the Caucasus and Mercury society and the house of Seid Mirbabaev, i.e. Alexandrovskaya embankment itself. No one dared to encroach on the interests of the Caucasus and Mercury society.

Subsequently, the amount of allocations was increased to 600 thousand rubles. Baku patrons also provided material support. The city authorities announced a competition for the best project, in which about thirty specialists took part, among whom were prominent architects and civil engineers. Territories were cleared, trees and shrubs were planted, and flower beds were laid out.

In addition, a competition was announced for the design of a bathhouse with a restaurant, as well as for thirteen kiosks for various purposes. The project of the civil engineer and at the same time the city (chief) architect of Baku Nikolai Bayev (1878-1949) won, and in 1914 the Alexander Bath was built. The wooden bathhouse on stilts, according to contemporaries, “attracted attention with its original architecture,” looked like a fairy-tale summer palace, on the roof of which there was a comfortable solarium with a shower. This bathhouse completely transformed the appearance of the boulevard.

By the way, this bath is not the first. Before it there was another, also called Alexandrovskaya. It was built in 1884 according to the design of the civil engineer and city architect in 1881-1886, Mikhail Botov (1855-1886). The Botovskaya bathhouse was incomparably simpler in architecture, and it had fallen into disrepair over thirty years.

The Baevskaya bathhouse was demolished in the early 60s, due to the rise in water levels in the Caspian Sea and the partial reconstruction of the boulevard.

The embankment was a wide spatial composition; in combination with the boulevard, the greenery of numerous trees (which, by the way, were selected very thoughtfully - taking into account not only the survival rate, but also the shading they create, which modern landscape designers do not think about at all), this section of the city was very picturesque and represented the busiest part of it. It is no coincidence that contemporaries noticed that the most brilliant part of Baku is its embankment.

By the beginning of the 50s. the length of Primorsky Boulevard was already 2.7 km - from the ship repair plant. Paris Commune to the new passenger sea terminal. In the 60s, after the construction of a new seaport, the boulevard was extended (to Azadlig Square) in front of the Government House. At that time the square was named after Lenin. The author of the project was the architect M. Guseinov.

In 1966, according to the project of this architect, on Primorsky Boulevard, in the area of ​​​​Azadlig Square, an area open to the sea was created, which ended with descents to the coastline, decorated with parterre greenery, flower beds and a cascade of fountains. In 1967, M. Guseinov prepared a new project for the reconstruction of the entire Primorsky Boulevard.

Due to a significant decrease in the level of the Caspian Sea, which reached its lowest level in 1977, as a result of which a wide strip of the former seabed was exposed, work was undertaken to create a second lower terrace of the Primorsky Park, where alleys, lawns and fountains were built.

At the same time, the boulevard grew in width: due to the drop in the level of the Caspian Sea, a wide, shallow strip was formed, above which its lower terrace was erected. But it soon became clear: the sea had not retreated forever.

The rise in the level of the Caspian coincided with the political and economic unrest of the 90s. The lower terrace of the boulevard - a walking overpass, as well as the boat pier and yacht club were flooded, trees began to die from the salt water, and in some places reeds even appeared. As a result of the reconstruction work, the lower terrace of the boulevard was raised by several meters.

Stretching for several kilometers, the Primorsky Boulevard has been a favorite place for many generations of Baku residents to relax, walk, and meet with friends. Its green spaces included such a wide range of flora that it was rightly called a national treasure.

Materials from Doctor of Historical Sciences Kamil Ibragimov were used. From the archives of the ECHO newspaper

The material is part of the "" series

Baku seaside boulevard (Azerbaijan) - description, history, location. The exact address, phone, website. Tourist reviews, photos and videos.

• Tours for May Worldwide
• Last minute tours Worldwide

Previous photo Next photo

The handsome Baku seaside boulevard stretches for 16 kilometers along picturesque coast Caspian Sea. Residents of Baku joke that once you’ve been here, you won’t have to see anything in the city, and you’ll return home oversaturated with impressions. As befits any self-respecting promenade, the Baku seaside boulevard can boast of more than a century of history (the first holidaymakers took a stroll here in 1909!) and a host of attractions and entertainment along its length, including a magnificent light and music fountain, designed to outshine the Emirati’s belt. "brother", Ferris wheel, central square"Azneft", a children's theater, an amusement park and much more. In short, at any time of the day, the seaside boulevard of Baku blooms, smells fragrant and encourages city guests to enjoy the joys of life.

A little history

The idea of ​​improving the Baku embankment appeared at the end of the 19th century, but the first steps in this direction were taken only in 1909. The city administration allocated quite a lot of money for those times - about 600 thousand pre-revolutionary rubles - and attracted the best architects and engineers to the construction. They cleared the area, laid out flower beds and flower beds, and built a summer bathhouse. Throughout the 20th century, the Baku seaside boulevard continued to lengthen, but was highly dependent on the level of the Caspian Sea, which repeatedly eroded and flooded the promenade. In 1998, it received the status of a national park, and in 2007, large-scale reconstruction work began here - and the boulevard blossomed with fountains, recreation areas, an amusement park and a lot of cafes and restaurants.

The fountain on the boulevard has no analogues in the world either in the “fluffiness” of the jets or in the accuracy of their following of the melody.

What to see

The number one attraction on the Baku Seaside Boulevard is the musical fountain opened in 2007 in the Seaside Park. According to the authorities, it has no analogues in the world either in terms of the “fluffiness” of the jets or in the accuracy of their following the melody. Everyone can be convinced of this - performances are held regularly, after dark. Another remarkable fountain, albeit smaller, is located opposite the Government House.

It is not for nothing that the Primorsky Park received national status - in the beneficial climate of the Caspian Sea, ornamental plants and shrubs bloom and smell fragrant here, and several dozen species of trees, including rare ones, thrive. You should definitely pay attention to the Darwinian diversity of cacti. Also on the promenade, the parachute tower attracts attention - it has been restored and shines with bright lighting.

Entertainment

Not only children of all ages, but also adults will definitely enjoy the Bulsur amusement park - there are about a dozen modern attractions - “for babies” and quite extreme ones. Nearby there is a Ferris wheel - an excellent opportunity to admire the lights of night Baku from a height of 60 meters. A cinema and a summer children's theater are also responsible for the cultural component of recreation on the boulevard.

On Baku Boulevard, you should definitely stop by one of the tea houses and enjoy real Azerbaijani tea, accompanied by sweets or dried fruits.

Primorsky Boulevard is an integral part of Baku. It seems that he has always existed here; it is impossible to imagine the city without him. In 2009, the boulevard celebrated its centenary, and it looks like this is just the beginning rich history, because now he is experiencing a rebirth. But first things first.

This is what the boulevard looked like a hundred years ago

The Baku Boulevard was going to be built at the beginning of the nineteenth century, but construction began only in 1909 on the initiative of the Baku engineer Mamedhasan Gadzhinsky. Money for the creation of the boulevard was allocated from the city treasury, with the help of local patrons. The improvement of the coastal area began with the section from the pier of the Caucasus and Mercury society to the house of the famous oil industrialist and singer Seyid Mirbabaev. Nowadays the Puppet Theater is located on this site. The attraction of the boulevard was the bathhouse, built in a palace style, surrounded by trees and flower beds.

During Soviet times, the bathhouse was liquidated due to changes in the level of the Caspian Sea. It must be said that the sea has repeatedly made the citizens and authorities of Baku nervous, making its own adjustments to the landscape of Primorsky Boulevard. Over the next twenty years, the level of the Caspian Sea constantly dropped, which made it possible to create a lower tier of the embankment and an open area by the sea, which was decorated with cascades of fountains. In the nineties, the level of the Caspian Sea rises again, and part of what was built ends up under water. The pedestrian overpass, the yacht club and the boat pier were flooded. We have to carry out reconstruction again and raise the lower tier by several meters.

To mark the centenary of Primorsky Boulevard, a musical fountain that has no analogues in the world appears here, numerous attractions are being restored, cafes and cinemas are opening. The parachute tower has been restored, which, thanks to its unique lighting, has become another landmark of Baku.

If you go left from the Carpet Museum along the sea and reach the pier, and spend a five-manat ticket there, then you can see both the luminous tower and the entire embankment while walking along Baku Bay on a boat. Especially good Boat trip at night, the last trip of the boat is at half past eleven at night. You will be able to enjoy the shimmering Crystal Hall, lights Nagorny Park, a light show on the walls of the Fire Towers. By the way, for ten manats you can ride a boat in a VIP class cabin, with soft seats and a working cafe. But keep in mind that then you will not feel the wind blowing your hair and the smell of the sea.

But, alas, you cannot swim in Baku Bay. It never even occurs to anyone - oil stains on the water clearly hint that it is unsafe for health. Alas, the problem of pollution of the Baku Bay remains relevant to this day. Both domestic and industrial waste from the city are dumped here. In 1996, about 5,000 tons of metal and wooden waste - sunken ships, pipelines and other metal structures - were recovered from the bottom of the bay.

If you go left from the Carpet Museum, towards Crystal Hall, you will see a new part of Primorsky Boulevard. By 2015, the territory of the Primorsky Park will become five times larger, the length of the boulevard will also increase, and constant improvement and expansion work is currently underway. Take a ride on the Ferris Wheel, look up close at the walls of the Crystal Hall, created from numerous luminous screens, and go to Flag Square. The road to dark time For days, you will be illuminated by multi-colored lanterns fancifully bent in different directions: some of them seem to bow, welcoming you, others froze with a question mark, others moved slightly to the side, as if looking at the guests. You will go straight to the sea, you will be able to smell it, lie down and sunbathe in the sun. It is still quiet here and there are very few people. But you still shouldn’t swim.

Primorsky Boulevard is a favorite vacation spot for Baku residents; couples come here, bring children, and walk their dogs here. Unlike most other parks, there are no signs prohibiting animal walking on every lawn, so in the evening you will meet a lot of four-legged Baku residents walking importantly after their owners.

There are many carousels in the park for children; teenagers entertain themselves with rollerblades and riding bicycles. If finances allow, you can have a good time in one of the coastal cafes; if not, just buy a bottle of juice and a bag of chips from the kiosk that dots the embankment.

If you walk along the embankment towards the Marine Station, you can find very unusual sights, for example, an alley of cacti! Right in the center of the alley, a significant area is allocated and fenced off, on which cacti of all kinds grow, from the familiar flat ones to the exotic Texas ones, the same ones from which tequila is made, the height of a person. Who landed them here and why? Who came up with the idea of ​​creating a live exhibition of cacti is a mystery, but it looks very original. No less original is the fountain located a little further, consisting of tubes collected in balls. Tight streams of water dissipate, giving coolness to everyone who dares to come close.

On the embankment you will find a lot interesting sculptures. The shoe shiner, hunched over his stool, seems to be waiting for you to put your foot on it. However, this is exactly what tourists do to take pictures. Or a lonely captain, intently examining Baku Bay from the shore. By the way, for some reason the captain is very short, maybe a submariner?