Baku architecture. At the beginning of the 20-th century.

It is said that architecture represents a nation history. Azerbaijan architecture thus shows a wide variety of stules and historical periods. All buildings and constuctions throughout Baku were built in three periods. The fortress with its fasihating buildings, including the Maidens Tower, various caravanserais, vaths, mosques and houses were built furing the feudal period. From the second part of the 19th century, when Baku became an administrative center in connection with the oil boom, the city became the capital of the oil and industy magnates, who made significant contributions to the architectural buildings being constructed in this period.
For example, the building of the charitable community "Ismayilliyeh" (1913, architect I.K.Ploshko), which was built bu funds supplied by millionaire Musa Naghiyev, is one of the most attrective buildings of the city. It now houses the Azerbaijan Academy of Science. Its bacade is Venetian gothic style. It greatly examplifies the architects skill, and the brick-layers' craft. This two stored palace has both the elements of the European style and those of the eastern architecture with its lancet-arches and diminutive multiple decorative elements.
Also the Town Council's building and the buildings of the gumnasiums, Alexander girls school, Philharmonia and other were built along the central Nikolayevscaya mainline at the beginning of the 19th century. The Town Council's building (1900-1904, architect E.V. Gosslavski), with its Boroque motifs and the tower in the center of the main facade, takes special place among them. The building is famous for its impressive facade which matches its centre of the city's administration. The Town Hall is situated in this building. The building of the Real College is situated near to thes building. Faculties of the Baku State University and the University of the National Economy are housed here. The Alexander girls school (1898-1901, architect E.V. Gosslavski) is a good example of Eastern architecture which harmonizes will with the Acadimy of Science next door. It houses many priseless collections of national Manuscripts and treasures of Azeri, Eastern, Classic and modern literature. Baku architecture at the beginning of the 20-th century. One of the most attractive curiosities which was built on NIkolayevscaya Shreet, is the builging of the Public Union (1910-1912). The building with its garden successfully harmonizes with the architectural ensemble. Situated on the hightst part of the city's center, this building acts as a distinctive landpark having two magnificent towers actively taking part in the city center's comosition and its silhouettes. Now it is the building of the M.Magomayev's Philharmonia, where can see one the beautiful sight of the Baku bay and Boulevard (constructed by the Nobel brothers in 1909), from its splendid platform. Even in those days the Boulevard was the favourite restling place for the city's intelligentsia and its respectable citizens. During hot, summer days people would make their way to the waterside, in which was doted with grceful dressing boxex, built by N.G.Babayev for bathers. During the same period various churches and mosques were constructed, such as the Taza Pier Mosque, the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church. Taza Pier Mosque (1905-1914, architect Z.Akhmadbeyov) is the biggest mosque of the city. Because of its design and composition, it holds a very special place in Baku architecture. The mosque, with its facade and interiors, has ben influenced by the national as well as eastern architectural traditions. At the same time theTheatre of Opera and Ballet, the Drama Theatre, as well as the residences of Musa Naghiyev, H.Z.Taghiyev. M.Mukhtarov and other Baku millionaires were built, Among those the most impressive is the palace of millionaire and maecenas H.Z.Taghiyev (1893-1902, architect E.V.Gosslavski), located on the former Gorchakovski street. The Museum of the Azerbaijan History is now housed in this building. Anohter building, thee former redisence of millionaire M.Mukhtarov (1911-1912, architect E.K.Ploshko), was built on the former Bersidski street, it was built in French Gothic style with impressive white stone carvingsand. Now house is the Palase of the Happiness. The Palace of Deburg (architect N.A. fon Der Nonne) was built on Sadovaya street in the nineteenth century. This building, which is Presently the R.Vustafayev's Art Museum is districtive and noteworthy because of its architectural design. All these buildings still atract attention because of their form, impressive construction, variety of architectural styles and managed design. Ghe various architects, mostly from the turn of century managed to create an impressive architectural silhouette of the city, which strectches along the Baku Bay, and its coast, defining the city's original appearance.

---