Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is jam-packed with many incredible places and attractions. One such place is Gobustan. It is a municipality in Baku known for its famous rock petroglyphs and mud volcanoes. Thousands of rock etchings are spread over 100 square kilometers, portraying people, ships, constellations, animals, music, dance, camel caravans, and hunting scenes in Gobustan.

UNESCO has included the Gobustan Rock Art Culture Landscape in the World Heritage List in 2007. The life depicted on the rocks dates back to 5000 to 20000 years. This site has so much for travelers to engage in. From remains of caves to settlements to burial grounds used during the Upper Paleolithic and the Middle Ages by Humans, there’s so much for history buffs to engulf.
 
If you are interested in this side of Azerbaijan, this post is for you. So, get ready to be part of a medieval era through rock art.

An Overview of Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape

Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site, popular among tourists for its prehistoric rock carvings, gas stones, and mud volcanoes. This mountainous hill site provides various insights into the bygone area of this region.

The cultural landscape of Gobustan is believed to have been discovered in the 1930s. A few research has revealed that the producers of these artworks were hunters and gatherers. Since 1930, this site has been a central point for archaeological studies.

This site’s highlights are the natural formations and the art they carry. These rocks are of different shapes, sizes, and heights. All of it shows that the topography of this area has changed over time.

The surrounding area of Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape has mud volcanoes and sandstones, adding more charm to its history. It is a classical archive of the past. This place is a bridge between the past and the present that showcases light on the evolution of human expression.

Many studies suggest that the carvings on the rocks were a form of communication by marking the territories or conveying messages during the prehistoric period.

Situated 60 km south of Baku, amid the Boyukdash, Kichikdash, and Jingirdagh, Gobustan State Reserve is one of the main attractions point in Azerbaijan. Tourists from all over the world visit this region in Baku to indulge in the incredible history.

Highlights of Gobustan National Park

The national park has a few attractions that tourists look forward to seeing. These include mud volcanos, musical stone, and museum. Let us look at them:

1. Mud Volcanoes

Mud Volcanoes are one of the most popular attractions in Azerbaijan. It is a natural wonder located in Gobustan National Park. These cone-shaped volcanoes are believed to be 25 million years old. The surface of these volcanoes reveals bubbles bursting on the surface of the mud-like slurry. Azerbaijan has the most of the mud volcanoes among the hundreds of them around the globe. Going for an excursion here would be no less than a different planet. Mud Volcanoes are an extraordinary natural phenomenon in Azerbaijan that is no less than a major attraction.

2. Musical Stone

A musical stone is also known as Gavaldash. Gavaldash is an ancient musical instrument. It is well-preserved at the Gobustan National Reserve. These musical instruments are one of the most significant inventions of ancient human beings. Gavaldash was invented to satisfy the musical tastes, dancing, and singing ceremonies of tribal people. This ceremonial instrument is one of the major attractions in Gobustan National Park.

3. Gobustan Museum

Gobustan Museum is the last touristic point on this tour. It is a medieval museum that depicts the life of ancient people living in Gobustan. This museum is a perfect place to go back in time and learn about the history of people living here thousands of years ago. In this museum, you will find the things related to people who used to live here. Such as the kind of clothes they used to wear, the excavated bones & skulls, cultural things, and other artifacts. If you are on a Gobustan tour, this museum is a must-visit place.

Best Time to Visit Gobustan

Gobustan is a year-round destination. However, the best time to visit this place is from April to June and September to October. During this time, the weather remains pleasant and perfect for an excursion here. If you visit during this time, you can traverse the region without extreme heat, rainfall, and cold.

The peak summer season falls between July and August, while the highest cold season is between December and March. These times make it impossible for you to explore the place completely.

Timings of Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape

Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve remains open all days of the year. The timings of opening and closing of this reserve are 10:00 am - 05:00 pm from Monday to Friday and 09:00 am - 05:00 pm from Saturday to Sunday.

Explore the Historic Treasures of Gobustan with Dook!

Gobustan is a hidden gem of Baku, Azerbaijan, that is yet to be unearthed by travelers. There’s some kind of history everywhere you look in Gobustan. If you want to go on a Gobustan tour, do not forget to check out our Azerbaijan packages. We have included everything you need to explore, experience, and excurse in Gobustan in our customized Azerbaijan trip packages.

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