Yanar Dag: Azerbaijan's Burning Mountain

Yanar Dag, or 'Burning Mountain', is a fascinating natural phenomenon located about 25 kilometers northeast of Baku. This 116-meter hill is ablaze with a continuous natural gas fire that erupts from a porous sandstone layer. The flames, reaching up to 3 meters in height, create a captivating sight, especially at night. Believed to have been formed by geological changes thousands of years ago, the site is rich in natural gas deposits, with a fault in the earth's crust allowing the gas to escape and burn. Some locals believe a shepherd accidentally started the fire in the 1950s by tossing a cigarette. Historical records from the 13th century, including those of Marco Polo, mention numerous flames throughout the Absheron Peninsula. Alexandre Dumas also wrote of witnessing these natural flames. Yanar Dag has significant cultural and historical importance for Azerbaijan. For centuries, it has been a pilgrimage site, with fire considered a sacred symbol of purity and divinity. Zoroastrianism, an ancient religion in the region, reveres fire, and some followers still come to Yanar Dag to offer prayers and perform rituals. The area is now a protected historical preserve where archeological studies are conducted. Not far from the mountain, a weak active volcano called Gotur Bulaq (Itchy Spring) excretes a mud and sulfur water mix, believed to have curative properties, especially for skin diseases.