Maiden`s Tower (Qiz Qalasi)

On the east side of the tower adjoins a ledge, the purpose of which remains unknown to this day. More than 200 people could hide inside the tower at the same time.Many secrets and legends of the ancient city are connected with this monument of Azerbaijani architecture. The name of Giz Galasy, which literally translates as Maiden Tower, presumably originates from a legend. One of which says that the shah fell in love with his daughter and decided to marry her. Trying to save herself from such a fate and dissuade her father, the girl asked the shah to build a tower and wait until the construction was completed. By the time the construction was completed, the tsar did not change his decision and then the girl climbed the tower and from there threw herself into the sea. After that, the stone on which the princess broke was called the "Virgin Stone", and the girls, being brides, brought flowers to it. There is another version of this legend: after she threw herself into the sea, her lover avenged his beloved by killing the king, but soon he found out that the mermaids had saved the girl. After a while, the lovers were able to find each other and tie the knot. Experts note that the father's desire to take his daughter as a wife is evidence that this legend has a pre-Islamic character. The legend also testifies that the Caspian Sea was located at the very foot of the Maiden Tower

According to legend, Saint Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, was executed near the Maiden Tower. Bartholomew appeared on the territory of Baku in the I century, preaching Christianity among pagan tribes. However, Bartholomew's teaching was rejected, and he was executed at the walls of the Maiden Tower. During the excavations at the Maiden Tower, the remains of an ancient temple identified with the basilica erected over the place of the death of the apostle were discovered.