Maiden Tower facts for kids

The Maiden Tower, also known as Giz Galasi, is an ancient and mysterious tower located in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. It stands tall in the Old City, a historic part of Baku. This amazing tower is a symbol of Azerbaijan and holds many secrets and legends within its thick stone walls. It is a very popular place for tourists to visit.

The Amazing Maiden Tower in Baku

The Maiden Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in Azerbaijan. It is a very old stone tower with a unique shape. It stands proudly on the Caspian Sea coast. People from all over the world come to see this special building.

What is the Maiden Tower?

The Maiden Tower is a large, cylindrical stone structure. It has a height of 29.5 meters (about 97 feet). The walls are very thick, especially at the bottom, where they are about 5 meters (16 feet) wide. As the tower goes up, the walls become a bit thinner. Inside, there are eight floors. A well for water is also found inside the tower. This tower was built with local gray limestone.

How Old is This Tower?

The exact age of the Maiden Tower is a bit of a mystery. Historians and archaeologists have different ideas. Some believe it was built as early as the 5th or 6th century. Others think it was built later, around the 12th century. It seems that different parts of the tower might have been built at different times. It was likely used as a fortress or a watchtower in ancient times. It helped protect the city from invaders.

What Stories Does It Tell?

Many legends surround the Maiden Tower. One of the most famous stories is about a king and his beautiful daughter. The king wanted to marry his own daughter, which she did not want. To escape, she asked her father to build a tall tower. She hoped he would change his mind while it was being built. When the tower was finished, the king still wanted to marry her. So, the princess climbed to the top of the tower and jumped into the Caspian Sea below. Another version says she jumped onto a magical carpet. These stories make the tower even more fascinating.

What's Inside the Tower?

Today, the Maiden Tower is a museum. Visitors can go inside and climb to the top. Each floor of the museum tells a part of the tower's history. You can learn about its construction and the legends. There are also exhibits about the history of Baku. From the very top, you get an amazing view of the Old City, the Baku Boulevard, and the Caspian Sea. It is a great spot for taking pictures.

Where is It Located?

The Maiden Tower is located in the heart of Baku's Icherisheher, also known as the Old City. This Old City is a walled historical center. It is a very important part of Baku. The tower is close to other historical buildings and narrow streets.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Maiden Tower, along with the Shirvanshahs' Palace, is part of the "Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower." This entire area was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. This means it is considered very important for all of humanity. UNESCO helps protect and preserve such special places around the world.