Khagani Garden: the historic park in the heart of Baku
Right in the centre of Baku, just a few steps from the city's most elegant shops, lies one of the most history-laden corners of the Azerbaijani capital: Khagani Garden. Covering barely 0.8 hectares, this small park bears the name of the great medieval Persian-Azerbaijani poet Khagani Shirvani and is one of the oldest urban green spaces in Baku.
History of the garden
The garden was created in the 1870s as Mariinsky Square, coinciding with the oil boom that transformed Baku into one of the wealthiest cities in the Russian Empire. Previously, the site was home to a Molokan settlement—a Russian Christian community—hence its former name "Molokan Garden". During the Soviet era it received several different names, before finally adopting the name of the poet Khagani after Azerbaijan's independence.
The Three Graces pond
The garden's most distinctive feature is its central curvilinear pond, adorned with the sculptural group entitled "Three Graces". The diagonal pathways converging on the pond create shaded rest areas that invite a leisurely stroll, in contrast with the bustle of the commercial streets surrounding the garden.
An urban oasis in the heart of Baku
Khagani Garden is a haven of tranquillity in the centre of a very dynamic city. Bakuvians come here to sit on shaded benches, read or escape the summer heat. For travellers, it makes a perfect pause between a visit to Fountain Square and the historic old town.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Khagani Garden?
In honour of the medieval poet Khagani Shirvani (12th century), considered one of the great poets of classical Persian literature and a cultural symbol of Azerbaijan.
When was Khagani Garden created?
In the 1870s, during the oil boom that modernised Baku under the Russian Empire. It was one of the first public green spaces in the city.
Where is Khagani Garden in Baku?
In the centre of Baku, in the Sabail district, a short distance from Fountain Square and the Nizami pedestrian street.