Atashgah Zoroastrian Fire Temple
About This Museum
It’s a little-known fact that the eternal flame at the heart of this ancient temple was once fed by natural gas vents seeping from the ground, long before the modern oil industry existed. Perched on a hill in Surakhany, the fortress-like complex feels more like a silent sentinel than a typical place of worship, its sand-colored walls weathered by centuries of sea winds. For generations, it served as a rare shared sanctuary, attracting both Zoroastrian pilgrims from Persia and Hindu devotees from Punjab. Today, the fires are maintained artificially, but walking through its central pavilion still feels like stepping into a quiet, cross-cultural conversation with history.
Collection Highlights
The central altar chamber, or chahar-taq, which once held the sacred fire; stone carvings and inscriptions left by Indian Hindu worshippers; and a small museum displaying ritual vessels and explaining the unique convergence of faiths here.
Visitor Information
It's just a short drive from central Baku—grab a taxi and be prepared for some steps and incredible hilltop views over the surrounding area.
Architecture & Building
A fortified, castle-like structure with a central pentagonal complex, high walls, and a simple, imposing design characteristic of caravanserais and ancient fire temples in the region.
