National Museum of History of Azerbaijan
Introduction
The National Museum of History of Azerbaijan, located at 4 Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev Street in Baku, is a captivating cultural landmark that chronicles the nation’s journey from ancient times to the modern era. Housed in the sumptuous former residence of the philanthropist and oil magnate Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, the museum offers visitors an immersive window into Azerbaijan’s diverse heritage, right in the heart of its vibrant capital.
About the Museum
Established in 1920, just months after the Bolshevik takeover of Baku, the museum occupies the prestigious Taghiyev Palace. Designed between 1895 and 1901 by Polish architect Józef Gosławski, the building is a splendid fusion of Italian renaissance style and Azerbaijani decorative traditions. Visitors begin their exploration on the first floor, where archaeological treasures—including prehistoric tools, fossils, and even a fossil jawbone known as “Azykhantrop”—tell stories of early human presence in the region.
As you ascend, the museum reveals life’s everyday aspects: intricate ethnic costumes, traditional carpets, jewelry, and household items, alongside over six hundred historical arms. The numismatic collection, with more than 150,000 coins and banknotes, spans millennia—and includes Greek, Roman, Arabic, Azerbaijani khanates, and Soviet-era specimens.
The second floor blends preserved palace rooms—nine salons where Taghiyev and his family once lived—with exhibits chronicling modern Azerbaijan: the Russian imperial period, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Soviet years, and the nation’s rebirth. Recent renovations expanded galleries to 26 halls over nearly 1,700 m², enhancing the interpretive displays with interactive tables and multimedia.
The museum also supports field archaeology and restoration. Between the 1920s and 1960s, its scholars led digs at Khojaly, Ganja, Gabala, Mingachevir and even underwater in the Caspian Sea in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Modern facilities include conservation laboratories and a specialized library holding over 80,000 books, rare journals, and archival documents.
Interesting Facts
- Architectural jewel: The museum building occupies an entire city block and showcases a blend of Italian renaissance grandeur with Moorish, Azerbaijani decorative styles.
- Archaeological legacy: Holds a prehistoric jawbone known as Azykhantrop, dated to 300,000–350,000 years ago.
- Rich coinage: More than 150,000 coins—from Alexander the Great, Roman, Arabic, Shirvanshahs, Safavids, through to Soviet issues.
- Underwater discoveries: The museum led marine archaeology in the Caspian Sea during 1968–1972, retrieving submerged cultural artifacts.
- Palace interiors preserved: Nine original rooms of the Taghiyev family remain intact, such as the library, boudoir, billiard room, and dining salon—with original furniture and décor.
- Modern exhibition design: Since 2023, galleries feature interactive tables, bilingual labels, and covers history up to the 44‑Day Patriotic War (2020).
Photo Gallery
Physical Location
Contact Details
Phone: +99412 493 2387
Website: azhistorymuseum.gov.az/en/
Facebook: facebook.com/azhistorymuseum
Conclusion
A visit to the National Museum of History of Azerbaijan offers both an architectural delight and an enlightening voyage through time. From the grandeur of Taghiyev Palace to the prehistoric echoes of ancient humans and the tangible symbols of national identity, each exhibit brings Azerbaijan’s past and present to life. Whether you are fascinated by archaeology, numismatics, palatial interiors or sociopolitical history, you will find a compelling story here. This museum is a must-visit for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Azerbaijan’s rich historical tapestry.
