The land of Azerbaijan has long attracted the attention of scholars, travelers, politicians, geographers, and, in fact, individuals from all fields and professions.
The reasons for interest have varied: some were drawn by the presence of oil, others by the abundance of medicinal plants, some by the "Sacred Eternal Flame" in Absheron, and others by its advantageous geographical position (on the Great Silk Road), among many others.
The first person to draw a picture of Baku was the Swedish doctor and traveler Engelgard Kempfer. This depiction dates back to 1684. In his drawing, Baku appears as an elongated city, stretching toward the sea, composed of houses with flat roofs. The city is surrounded by strong fortress walls.
Those who traveled through Azerbaijan immortalized their pleasant impressions of the region in writings and drawings. Not only Baku, but also Shamakhi, Ganja, and Shusha were subjects of these individuals’ favorable impressions, which they recorded on paper (through drawings and writings). Everyone who visited this beautiful land admired its magnificent architecture, nature, and customs. All these depictions, whether written or visual, serve as historical documents of Azerbaijan.
AzEns.az/ Jalya Orujeva