Highland Park

Highland Park in Baku rises above the bay like a terrace over the city. White-stone stairways, shaded paths, and viewing platforms connect landscaped areas with panoramic views of the Caspian Sea. Created from Lev Ilyin’s 1935 design, the park has passed through several eras and now commemorates those killed in January 1990 and the Karabakh wars. Its viewpoints overlook the Flame Towers and city streets, while the Martyrs’ Lane and the Turkish Martyrs’ Mosque preserve the memory of the past. In the evening, lights and lanterns bring the park to life and make it a popular place to walk and see Baku from above.

Highland Park is associated with a legend about the Pirvanzer Stone. It was regarded as sacred and especially connected with women, who came hoping for cures from illness and infertility. When the park was created, the boulder was left in place because workers feared disturbing its mystical power. There is no scientific evidence for these properties, but the story remains part of local memory.