Quadrangular Mardakan Fortress
| Quadrangular castle | |
|---|---|
Azerbaijani: Dördkünc Mərdəkan qalası | |
| General information | |
| Status | Used as museum |
| Architectural style | Architectural school of Shirvan-Absheron |
| Location | Mardakan |
| Town or city | Baku |
| Country | Azerbaijan |
| Coordinates | 40°29′32″N 50°08′26″E / 40.492131°N 50.140677°E |
| Completed | 14th century |
| Client | Akhsitan I |
| Height | 22 m |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Limestone |
The Quadrangular Mardakan Fortress or the Great Mardakan Castle (Azerbaijani: Dördkünc Mərdəkan qalası or Azerbaijani: Böyük Mərdəkan qəsri) is a historical and architectural monument located in the Mardakan settlement of the Khazar district in Baku. It is included by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan (currently - the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan) in the list of monuments of world importance. In 2001, along with other objects of the coastal defence of the Caspian Sea, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Reserve List.
The fortress was built in the shape of a quadrangle in the 12th century by Akhsitan I, the son of Shirvanshah Minuchihr III.
The courtyard of the castle has the dimensions of 24x20 meters, and the height of the tower located in the courtyard is of 22 meters. The outer walls of the castle are reinforced with semi-circular blind towers located at the corners and along the wall. In general, the donjon of the Quadrangular Mardakan Castle has more developed architectural features compared to the Round Mardakan Castle.