The National Library of Azerbaijan

The National Library of Azerbaijan is named after writer and educator Mirza Fatali Akhundov. Founded in 1923, it holds several million items — books, journals, maps, sheet music and manuscripts.

The building

The library occupies a 1960 building in central Baku. Its facade is decorated with statues of great writers, including Nizami, Fuzuli and Pushkin. It's one of the most photogenic stops between Fountain Square and the boulevard.

Inside

• A rare books collection and early printed editions.
• Literature in dozens of languages.
• Digital catalogues and reading rooms.

For visitors

A reader's card is needed for the reading rooms, but the facade can be admired any time. Nearby are the Nizami Museum of Literature and Fountain Square.