The monopoly over the oil production in Baku was abolished in 1873. This resulted in an outstanding economic boom that changed Baku from a sleepy port city into a metropolis, supplying 50% of the world’s oil production. Fortune-hunters from all over the world were drawn to Baku and some became millionaires overnight.
We follow the footsteps of some of the great local oil barons. Stopping by a few of their magnificent buildings and get to listen to intriguing stories of wealth and successfulness.
The Nobel B
rothers
The oil rush brought the Nobel-brothers to Baku. Their genius took the oil-production of Baku to new levels. We pay a visit to the Villa Petrolea and hear the story of the Brothers Nobel’s Amazing success. The building is renovated and restored to its glory days when it was called a paradise for northerners.
The Tour starts at Villa Petrolea and then we stop at”Kirche” the Lutheran Church of Baku, consecrated in 1899. After that we pass some of the most magnificent buildings of that time, we pass the houses of Shamsi Asadulayev, Murtuza Muxtarov, and Musa Naghiyev. Finally, we visit the mansion of Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiiyev, which today is the location of the national museum of history. In the part of the museum that is dedicated to this famous oil baron, we really get the feeling of the wealth and majesty of this time epoch.
Experience Baku 