Round Mardakan Tower

Mardakan, Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan

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The Round Mardakan Tower, located in the village of Mardakan near Baku, Azerbaijan, was built in 1232 by the architect Abd al-Majid at the order of Shirvanshah Fariburz III.

The tower follows a typical architectural plan seen in Near and Central Asia between the 12th and 15th centuries, consisting of a cylindrical central tower surrounded by 7-meter-high fortified walls supported by blind towers. The tower is about 16 meters high with walls up to 2 meters thick at the base and has three tiers connected by an internal staircase with flat stone domes.

Loopholes and machicolations were strategically positioned for defense, while the upper platform served as a lookout. The tower was part of a larger fortress complex that includes a square courtyard enclosed by a stone wall with four semicircular towers. It historically served as a watchtower, signaling the approach of enemies by lighting torches to alert surrounding settlements.

Today, it stands as a significant monument of medieval military architecture and is part of Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritageRound Mardakan Tower.