00:00KONTRAŠT
00:12Welcome to Baku, a city of contrasts.
00:16Here on the Caspian Sea, you can see the blend of history and contemporary life.
00:21On this episode of Around Azerbaijan,
00:23we'll be exploring the city's old soul and modern spirit.
00:28The city moves quickly and so will we, from coast to cobblestones in minutes.
00:35The old city is still the beating heart and soul of Baku today.
00:40High above the rooftops, the Maiden Tower watches over a maze of stories.
00:44Down here, every turn pulls you into a different century.
00:48Workshops, caravanserais, cafes and courtyards all blending into one rhythm.
00:53To see how reinvention really works in Azerbaijan,
00:56you have to head just 30 minutes out of Baku
00:59to a place that's lived through booms, buss and an impressive rebirth, Balakhani.
01:05Below the surface, Balakhani hides its oldest treasure, the Avdan.
01:07Cool stone walls, ancient channels and the sense that every drop once mattered to life here.
01:42Just steps away is another landmark of the past. The Agam hamam known for its sand bath.
01:49One of the businesses here focuses on bridging that past with visitors coming today.
02:13There is a book called Balxan's Social Workers. Then I'll show them the love of the noble brothers.
02:25What were once faded walls are now a living gallery, transforming the village into one of the region's most Instagram stops.
02:33These murals are painted by local artists and they've become such a tourist attraction that people queue up to take selfies.
02:40We're at Chalebi, a gallery and showroom that offers a fresh view of Azerbaijan's visual identity, with every piece rooted in the culture.
02:51The art and design scene here is thriving and it's thanks to places like this, bridging the gap between traditional techniques and heritage crafts alongside modern artists and creatives.
03:03Azerbaijan sits at the crossroads of three major religions and for centuries people have shared their neighborhoods, their holidays and their stories.
03:14The result? A rare kind of harmony.
03:17So this is one of the oldest mosques in the city.
03:20It's from the 13th century. In 2008 it was renovated again.
03:24Well, as I mentioned, it's a small pilgrimage place and a majority of the tourists visit the mosque.
03:34The Spanish synagogue itself was built in 2011.
03:39The interesting thing is, it is the biggest synagogue in Europe for the mountain Jews.
03:43And the mountain Jews is a community of the Jewish people living in Azerbaijan for more than a thousand years.
03:53So we're in one of the city's many churches.
03:56Yeah, but this one is unique because one of the few Catholic churches which fundaments was laid by the visit of Roman Pope John Paul II in 2002.
04:08So we've been to a synagogue, a mosque and we're in a church. There's lots of faith celebrated in the country.
04:16It is. It's really multicultural.
04:23Baku's modern spirit thrives in its green spaces. It's hard to believe we're in the middle of the city.
04:29But right here, the botanical gardens are beautifully designed and full of color, bringing nature into the rhythm of the city.
04:36As my weekend draws to a close, I've learned that Baku is full of surprises.
04:47Yes, history is always close, but so is the energy of something new.
04:52And it's that balance that makes this city unforgettable.
04:54And it's that balance, it's not unforgettable.
04:55Let's keep.
04:56Thank you.
04:57th
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