Flowing architecture
No sharp angles.
Avisadehh — CC0 · Robot8A — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Avisadehh — CC0 · Tərxan Paşazadə — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Francisco Anzola — CC BY 3.0 · Mahmoodrezamo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Emin Allahverdi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Avisadehh — CC0
A cultural complex in Baku designed by the architect Zaha Hadid, famous for its flowing white form without a single sharp angle, which has made it one of the best-known contemporary buildings in the world. It covers about 57,500 square metres, opened in 2012, and is named after Heydar Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan from 1993 to 2003. The building seems to rise from the ground and fold over itself in one continuous surface that shapes its entrances and halls. In 2014 it won the Design of the Year award from London's Design Museum, making Hadid the first woman to receive it. The centre has a 1,000-seat auditorium, temporary exhibition halls and a museum on Azerbaijan's history and culture, with sections on musical instruments, carpets and traditional dolls, plus a classic car exhibition. A large park with pools and art sculptures surrounds it, where visitors photograph the building from every angle. Tickets are about 15 AZN per visitor guides, some exhibitions may cost extra, and it usually closes on Mondays. Walking in the park and photographing the building are free, and sunset gives the best pictures.
No sharp angles.
Azerbaijani culture.
Sculptures and pools.
Heydar Aliyev Avenue, north of central Baku
Yes, walking in the surrounding park and photographing the exterior are free; the ticket is only for the museum and exhibitions.