Yanar Dag Travel Guide

Yanar Dag, or "Burning Mountain", is a fascinating natural wonder located approximately 25 kilometers northeast of Baku. This isn't a volcano, but rather a continuously burning natural gas fire erupting from a hillside. The flames, jetting up to 3 meters high from a porous sandstone layer, create a captivating spectacle, especially at night.The Absheron Peninsula, where Yanar Dag is located, has numerous oil and gas reserves. The fire is believed to have been ignited centuries ago due to geological changes and has been burning ever since. Some locals believe a shepherd accidentally started the fire with a cigarette in the 1950s. Historical accounts, including those by Marco Polo and Alexandre Dumas, mention numerous flames throughout the Absheron Peninsula.Yanar Dag holds cultural and historical significance. It's considered a sacred place by locals and Zoroastrians, who revere fire as a symbol of purity and divinity. For centuries, it has been a pilgrimage site, attracting people who believe the flames possess healing powers. Today, Yanar Dag is a protected historical preserve, attracting tourists worldwide. Visitors can explore the site, view the flames from a designated platform, and visit the modern Yanar Dag museum and open-air Cromlex stone exhibition.