Visiting the Ancient Fires of Azerbaijan

Ateshgah Temple

Just 30 minutes outside of the capital, are two natural fire reserve sites, where flames come out of the Earth and have never stopped burning. Yanar Dağ is a mysterious 10 meter long fire wall that constantly burns, no matter rain or snow. The Ateshgah Temple is an ancient place of worship where Hindus, Zoroastrians and Sikhs have come for centuries to see the natural fire reserves. Archeologists believe that actual temple building was built around the end of the 16th-17th century and has been fully restored by the Azerbaijani government and opened up as a museum.

Yanar Dağ

These natural flames both amazed and scared people and undoubtedly played a major role in the religion of Zoroastrianism.

In the 13thcentury, Marco Polo wrote about the mysterious fires that were found all over the Abşeron Peninsula. These natural flames both amazed and scared people and undoubtedly played a major role in the religion of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism was founded by Zoroaster and was arguably the first monotheistic religion, shaping Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Zoroastrianism is the belief that fire is a medium between the super natural world and the real word. Only around 100,000 people still practice the religion today, with the largest practice in India. These natural fires can give anyone a glimpse into history and are a must see when visiting Azerbaijan.

Courtyard of Ateshgah Temple

Inside museum of Ateshgah Temple

Local dog at Yanar Dağ