Gala Reserve — a journey into ancient Azerbaijan

Gala Reserve is a unique open-air historical and archaeological site where the ancient culture of Azerbaijan comes to life. Located just 40 minutes from the center of Baku, Gala is an ideal destination for discovering the everyday life, crafts, and traditions of the people who lived on the Absheron Peninsula more than 5000 years ago.

Location

The Gala Historical and Ethnographic Reserve is situated in the village of Gala on the Absheron Peninsula. This site holds immense archaeological significance — traces of settlements dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages have been discovered here.

What to expect?

The complex is divided into two main sections:

1. An open-air archaeological park

2. An ethnographic museum with reconstructed 18th–19th-century buildings

Archaeological zone

The archaeological section features:

• Ancient burial structures: cromlechs, tombs, and mausoleums;

• Stone tools, grindstones, mortars, remnants of ancient dwellings and fortress walls;

• Clay vessels used for storing water, oil, and grains;

• Excavated remnants of ancient settlements, presented with original artifacts found directly on site.

Ethnographic section

This part recreates the rural life of the Absheron population from the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors can:

• Enter a traditional Azerbaijani house and observe its layout;

• Bake lavash bread in a clay oven (tandir);

• Visit blacksmith, pottery, and weaving workshops;

• See domestic animals like sheep, camels, and cows, kept to simulate a traditional village environment;

• Try on national costumes and take memorable photos.

Workshops and interactive activities

One of Gala’s highlights is its hands-on cultural experiences:

• Pottery and carpet-weaving workshops;

• Coin minting and copper crafting;

• Ceramic and utensil making;

• Walking through ancient-style streets and enjoying traditional Azerbaijani tea in a local tea house.

Nature and atmosphere

The reserve is well-maintained, with paved paths, green areas, shaded pavilions, and scenic views of the Absheron landscape. Even a simple walk here becomes a journey through time, offering a rich and immersive look at Azerbaijan’s ancient past.