La Stampa: Baku - architectural kaleidoscope

Baku appears as a rich and modern city, dotted with skyscrapers, shopping malls and luxury cars, reads an article by Marco Moretti published in Italy's La Stampa, according to Report.

The author begins his story about the capital of Azerbaijan with the history of the city, adding that in the 12th century, Baku became an important trading center on the Silk Road thanks to the port and the Shirvanshah dynasty, who moved the capital here.

"Today Baku is a combination of its eastern soul, concentrated in the historical center of the city and the western soul of its modern part, which surrounds Icherisheher," the article notes.

Speaking about Icherisheher, the author calls it a medieval memory of Baku and adds that UNESCO has declared the historical center a World Heritage Site. "Its main attraction is the Shirvanshahs' Palace," he adds.

The article tells about the Ateshgah fire temple in Surakhani and adds that "nothing could be more sacred for the followers of Zarathustra, worshippers of fire, water, air and earth."

"Baku is an architectural kaleidoscope where freedom has shown its most eclectic side with neo-Gothic, Neo-Moorish and neo-Renaissance buildings," the author writes.

The article also tells about the modern appearance of Baku: skyscrapers, the Heydar Aliyev Center, Flame Towers.