Fortress walls of Icherisheher: a symbol of resilience

Abstract

The fortress walls surrounding Icherisheher (the Old City in Baku) reflect its ancient history more than the historical and cultural monuments located there. Those fortifications, which witnessed crucially historical events for ages, have been exposed to both natural and external influences during these years. Based on historical sources, the demolition of the outer fortress wall due to economic demands of that time and natural circumstances also denotes the partial obliteration of the historical memory. This paper deals with the history of construction, various-year restoration, military significance, and usage purposes of the fortress walls. In addition, the main factors that led to the destruction of the fortress walls have been researched and their impacts on cultural tourism in modern times have been reviewed. The consequences of this investigation prove once again that those fortress walls maintaining our historical memory are essential stone chronicles contributing to the development of cultural tourism with regard to studying the past of the city and being recognized around the globe.