The Palace of Shirvanshahs (Şirvanşahlar sarayı) is one of the most beautiful, large, and attractive sights of all Azerbaijan. This is an ancient residence of the country's rulers, which was built for more than 400 years, starting from the XII century. All this time, the complex was getting bigger, more beautiful, and more expensive. Surprisingly, although a large number of architects and builders changed and each ruler had his idea of ​​beauty, the whole complex was designed in the same style, so it is not always possible to guess what appeared earlier and what later, so organically new buildings were integrated into the old ensemble.

The oldest part of the palace is a large ceremonial octagonal hall, built at the end of the XIV century. It stands out for its size and incredibly exquisite decoration - the stone carvings that adorn the walls delight with grace and beauty.

No less interesting is the old mosque, which is also called the Kei-Kubad Mosque. It was built at the end of the XIV century on a foundation that existed there much earlier. Unfortunately, the mosque completely burned down during a fire in 1918. And when they began to carry out excavations to restore this beautiful building, they found a crypt that contained a large number of human remains. Further research has shown that there used to be a cemetery around the mosque, inside the palace complex.

Of course, the Divan-khan courtyard, which was designed and built at the end of the XV century, deserves special attention. Ancient records note that it was used not only for recreation but also for trials and state meetings.

Now the palace is a huge territory that includes: the palace itself and a very cozy courtyard next to it, a magnificent tomb, a luxurious mosque, baths, and the mausoleum of the court scientist. The complex has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites for several decades. There are museums and exhibition halls where you can get acquainted with the history and culture of the city and the country.