The legacy of Baku millionaires: Absheron’s summer villa architecture A journey into history

During the oil boom, Baku underwent rapid transformation, becoming one of the most vibrant and prosperous cities in the region. It was no coincidence that it was called the “Paris of the East.” Refined architecture, a rich cultural life, and an atmosphere of dynamic growth shaped the city’s unique character. Baku millionaires, eager to emphasize their status, actively built not only luxurious urban mansions but also country summer houses, creating a distinctive world of seasonal residences around the capital.

The estates were distinguished by their thoughtful layouts, expansive green areas, and rare exotic plants brought from different parts of the world. Over time, these ensembles became not only symbols of wealth but also an important part of architectural heritage, preserving the spirit of the era, its tastes, and artistic aspirations. Competing in wealth and elegance, the owners invited renowned architects, which led to the emergence of a unique environment of summer cottage architecture in the suburbs of Baku, especially in Mardakan. One of its vivid embodiments was the dacha.

One such residence was the estate of Aziz-bey Ashurbeyov—an exquisite structure that vividly reflected both the high artistic vision and the status of its owner. The noble Ashurbeyov family was widely known in Baku: its members were among the most affluent and influential oil industrialists of their time, playing a significant role in the city’s economic and social life.

The Ashurbeyov dacha became not merely a place of leisure but also a distinctive symbol of wealth, cultural aspirations, and the high standard of living sought by Baku’s elite at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The two-story building features a symmetrical composition on its main façade, accentuated by a central risalit. The compositional center is emphasized by an arched entrance topped with a small balcony. The verticality of the risalit is crowned by a striking tower with an onion-shaped dome, giving the building’s silhouette a characteristic dominant feature.

The architecture combines elements of Neoclassicism and Eclecticism, visible in the decorative treatment of the façades. The wall surfaces are handled with restraint, incorporating rusticated sections. Rectangular window openings are framed with simple surrounds, occasionally enhanced with small pediments.

The cornice line is highlighted by a moderately projecting, profiled cornice that unifies the entire volume. The side wings extend the main composition, forming an elongated and balanced façade. The plinth is distinguished by denser finishing, visually “grounding” the structure. The entrance ensemble is complemented by a staircase with symmetrical flights, reinforcing the ceremonial approach.

The building creates a cohesive and expressive impression, where pronounced representativeness is combined with restrained ornamentation. The architecture is not excessively lavish, yet its carefully considered composition and sculptural forms convey a sense of nobility and status. The building’s placement takes into account the natural and climatic features of the area, reflecting a high degree of architectural thoughtfulness, where aesthetics are inseparably linked with practicality.

The surrounding landscape played an equally important role: tall trees accentuated the building’s vertical elements and created an intimate atmosphere within the estate. Beyond the architecturally designed gates—which, unfortunately, have not survived—stretched the main alley lined with slender cypresses and pines. This avenue established a clear compositional axis for the ensemble, gently leading the eye to the villa, emphasizing its position on an elevated terrace, and enhancing the effect of a ceremonial approach.

According to the memories of longtime residents, the building was draped in dense green ivy, giving it a particularly picturesque quality and harmoniously linking the architecture with its natural surroundings. Sadly, the fountain that once adorned the grounds and complemented the estate’s image as a place of leisure and secluded luxury has also been lost.

During the Soviet era, most of these dachas were confiscated and nationalized, losing their original function as private residences. Some were adapted into pioneer camps, while others were converted into administrative or medical facilities. As a result of these transformations, a significant portion of the architectural heritage was either lost or altered.

Nevertheless, in modern Azerbaijan, some of these buildings have been restored and given a new life. Today, the Ashurbeyov estate houses the Khazar Medical Center, with an additional wing having been added during the Soviet period.

Despite the changes, the original layout of the garden is still preserved in places. Some of the old trees have survived, maintaining the historical atmosphere of the space. At the same time, the grounds have been enhanced with new plantings, carefully integrated into the overall landscape.

The era that gave rise to these estates has passed, but the houses themselves continue to exist, serving as reminders of a time of prosperity and ambition. This is invaluable architectural heritage, where a living connection between generations and cultures can be felt. Preserving and thoughtfully engaging with such sites reflects both respect for the past and responsibility toward the future.

By Vahid Shukurov, exclusively for Caliber.Az