Baku, December 18, 2025 – The Europe Today: A jubilee event marking the 25th anniversary of the inscription of Icherisheher, together with the Maiden Tower and the Shirvanshahs’ Palace Complex, on UNESCO’s World Heritage List was held in Baku.
Addressing the ceremony, host Rahib Azeri highlighted that Icherisheher represents one of the most outstanding examples of Azerbaijan’s efforts in preserving and promoting its cultural heritage.
Chairman of the Board of the “Icherisheher” State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration, Rufat Mahmud, noted that December 2 marks 25 years since the unique heritage site was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. He emphasized that under the leadership of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, Icherisheher secured its place on the prestigious list.
“Today, the preservation and development of Icherisheher continues consistently under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, with the special attention and care of First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva,” Mahmud added.
Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova stated that owing to the strategy implemented under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, Azerbaijan is now recognized as one of the most active and influential member states within UNESCO. She noted that the number of Azerbaijan’s heritage sites and cultural elements registered with UNESCO continues to grow.
“At present, Azerbaijan’s tangible cultural heritage is represented on the World Heritage List, while mugham, ashug art, carpet weaving, the Novruz holiday and other elements are included on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In total, 24 heritage examples of Azerbaijan have been registered on these lists,” Yusifova said.
Other speakers at the event included Sabina Hajiyeva, Head of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture; Simone Giometti, Secretary General of the Romualdo Del Bianco Foundation; and Mustafa Shabanov, Second Secretary of the Azerbaijan National Commission for UNESCO.
The jubilee event continued with a concert program and concluded with a congratulatory video prepared in honor of the 25th anniversary.
Icherisheher, the historical core of Baku, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, unique urban structure and rare architectural examples formed over millennia. Located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, the ancient residential area covers 22 hectares and stands as one of the few preserved examples of medieval urban culture in Azerbaijan. Historical sources and archaeological research indicate that settlements have existed in the Old City since the Bronze Age, while its fortress walls, street network, maritime-oriented urban planning, and landmarks such as the Maiden Tower and the Shirvanshahs’ Palace Complex form an architecturally unified historical ensemble.
