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Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape: A Journey Through Time

Explore 40,000 years of history at Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape: petroglyphs, caves, mud volcanoes, and ancient wonders await near Baku.

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Explore the ancient Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring over 6,000 petroglyphs dating back 40,000 years. Discover the rich history and culture of prehistoric societies through fascinating rock carvings, caves, settlements, and burial sites in a semi-desert setting, located 60 km southwest of Baku.

A brief summary to Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape

Local tips

  • Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures.
  • Wear comfortable shoes as the terrain can be uneven and rocky.
  • Bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water, especially during the summer months.
  • Consider hiring a local guide for a more in-depth understanding of the petroglyphs and the history of the site.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Baku, take bus number 195 from a stop in the city center to the 'Gobustan' bus stop on the Baku-Shamakhi highway. The bus fare is 0.30 AZN, payable with a BakuCard. From there, hire a taxi for the remaining 5-10 minute drive (approximately 3 km) to the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape. Expect to pay around 5-10 AZN for the taxi ride. Alternatively, take a bus or minibus from Baku Central Bus Station to Qobustan for 1-2 AZN. Upon arrival in Qobustan, take a taxi to the site for approximately 5-10 AZN.

  • Taxi

    A taxi directly from Baku to Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape will take approximately 1 hour and 2 minutes, covering around 68 km. Expect to pay around 25-33 AZN for a one-way trip. You can negotiate the fare with the driver before starting your journey.

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Discover more about Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape

The Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007, offers a captivating journey through time. Located approximately 60 kilometers southwest of Baku, Azerbaijan, this remarkable site is home to an outstanding collection of over 6,000 rock engravings, bearing testimony to 40,000 years of rock art. The petroglyphs reflect the flora, fauna, hunting practices, social structures, and cultural expressions of human societies from prehistoric to medieval times. The engravings provide detailed depictions of anthropomorphic figures, such as lance-bearers and ritualistic dance scenes, as well as various animal species, bullfighting events, camel caravans, and celestial symbols such as the sun and other stars. The 'Yalli' dance is one of Gobustan's most famous petroglyphs, depicting dancers taking part in Azerbaijan's traditional Yalli dance. Beyond the rock art, the site features remains of inhabited caves, settlements, and burials, reflecting intensive human use of the area during the wet period that followed the last Ice Age, from the Upper Paleolithic to the Middle Ages. The landscape itself is of outstanding scenic and aesthetic interest, with mountains like Boyukdash, Kichikdash, and Jingirdag rising out of the semi-desert. Another highlight is the Gaval Dash, a musical stone that creates a tambourine-like sound when struck with smaller rocks. Additionally, the area boasts a significant number of mud volcanoes, adding to the unique geological landscape. Gobustan is not only a historical and cultural treasure but also a place of natural wonder, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the past and the geological forces that have shaped the region.

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