Travel: Visit Azerbaijan, a lesser-known country at every crossroads

Certainly, this country is not the first destination between Russia, the Caspian Sea in the east and the Iran to the south when planning a trip.

For me, it was appealing.

Azerbaijan is a very beated path destination as most people, including readers of this column, were unable to find it on the map. Little known, Azerbaijan is also a country at the heart of the geopolitical tensions that dominate the intersection of civilization and the headlines of today.

This ancient land of the Caucasus is a place where the north and south, east and west met for a long time. Alexander the Great, the Persians, were here under the emperor, along the way with the Zoroastrian religion, Silk Road trader Constantinople (modern Istanbul).

Another interesting chapter in history appeared at the turn of the last century when it attracted enormous Western investments, including the Nobel Brothers (Nobel Prize fame). In fact, oil was drilled here long before the Texas oil boom began in Beaumont. Most recently, the Soviets occupied the country for 71 years from 1920 to 1991.

All cultures, civilizations and powers remained in the end, creating an incredibly diverse country that denies many stereotypes.

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan and the largest city with 2.4 million residents, could become a television double for a random European city.

Surrounded by hard walls from centuries ago, with the exception of the old city, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, many of the historic architecture in the city centre were heavily influenced by Paris and prewar Berlin. Next is the modern development, a replica of the Haussmann block in Paris. They are so authentic that you will be allowed to think that you have reclaimed your time machine to the second reich of France.

Complementing historic and replica historic architecture are many modern buildings with futuristic designs. Notable examples include the National Carpet Museum, designed to resemble a rolled carpet, and the Flame Towers, a three-glazed skyscraper complex designed by St. Louis-based architect HOK. (Speaking of carpets, I am sure that Azerbaijan’s centuries of weaving tradition surpasses carpets from other countries within the wider region.)

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One of the best places to admire the cityscape is the long promenade parallel to the Caspian. The perfect view of the postcard is a quaint, modern cool mix, with the latter feeling like a more restrained version of Dubai or Las Vegas.

As pointed out by Town Hall columnist Scott Morefield, a friend who joined me on this trip, the promenade, the park and assembly space were beautiful. There was no trash, overflowing garbage cans, graffiti, or wandering abonds. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I visited the park and sat on a bench.

In the shadow of the Old Town and the 12th century Maiden Tower is the ruins of the Orthodox Church, St. Bartholomew’s Church. It was destroyed by the Soviets and built in a place held by the tradition of the martyrism of the apostle St. Bartholomew in the first century. (The relics of Bartholomew were later translated into the Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Myrrhbearers.)

The religious landscape of Azerbaijan has been particularly improved as it is Bartholomew’s horrifying martialism.

96% of Azerbaijanis are Muslims (mainly Shia Muslims), but there is an astonishing degree of tolerance and pluralism in the culture, especially considering their proximity to Iran, which has an Islamic regime.

A suitable case is the established Jewish population of Azerbaijan, including so-called mountain Jews.

The Red Village or Red Village village of True Jewish village, dating back at least to the mid-18th century (depending on translation), is about 100 miles from Baku, near the border with Russia’s Dagestan, in the hilly areas of the South Caucasus Mountains. The period of Jews living around this area and worshipped in synagogues is debated, but since the destruction of Solomon’s temple, the presence of Jews has been arguing in the Caucasus.

Meanwhile, returning to Baku, the number of Christians is increasing.

Roman Catholics, including charisma associated with vineyards, and various evangelical Protestants are free to worship and convert despite reports of opposition.

I know this. Because I not only attended Protestant and Roman Catholic services in the build-up to Holy Week, but also figuratively broke bread with literally a few Christian leaders. Yes, the entire Armenian subject is complicated, but hopefully the proposed peace agreement will resolve the issue if Armenia is willing to escape from Vladimir Putin’s orbit.

The Vineyard Church gathers at the Church of the Savior, a Gothic Revival church in the late 19th century, built for the Lutherans of Germany and Swedish people during the time of the Nobel Brothers. Three other Protestant congregations, reused as concert halls by the Soviets, use brick buildings every Sunday. The historic church is too small, so there is a fundraising plan in place for the vineyard space.

Meanwhile, Roman Catholics have grown a modest church with the concept of immature, which serves as the pro-department for the apostles (think missionary parish) under the Roman clergyman Rev. Vladimir Fekete. A new rather large church dedicated to the Holy and Pope John Paul II is under construction with full support from the Holy Shih and the President of Azerbaijani Ilham Aliyev.

Certainly, it can be difficult to go to Azerbaijan, but those who go will be rewarded in a country that weighs far more.

If you’re going

The country’s incredibly excellent flag carrier, Azerbaijan Airlines went in and out of New York’s JFK airport until flights were cancelled during the pandemic. Although some European hubs are still possible, the easiest route is probably via Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul.

In Baku, four- and five-star hotels are more affordable than comparable hotels of major European capital. I stayed at the modern JW Marriott Absalon, which has one of the best breakfast buffets I’ve ever seen. If my budget allowed me, I would have booked Four Seasons. Despite resembling a grand hotel in Paris or Vienna during the Belle Epoque era, the capital’s most luxurious hotel is only 13 years old. One more budget-friendly option is Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard, which is directly direct to the Caspian Sea.

For those visiting the Red Settlement, a must-see is the Jewish Museum in the Mountains. It was housed in a former synagogue that was closed during the Soviet era, but opened several years ago after the beautiful brick building was restored.

Dennis Lennox is a travel column for Christian Post.