Ku Phra Ko Na กู่พระโกนา
The largely intact 3 towered, 11th-century sanctuary, located in the southern region of the province and accompanied by a substantial-sized baray to the east, (Baray Ku Phra Ko Na), indicate the site was one of some importance.
The 3, east-facing, brick shrines are positioned on a laterite and sandstone platform with an enclosing wall and traces of four gopuras.
The central shrine was renovated in the 19th century and given a coat of stucco, the northern tower is partially collapsed and is covered by a roof to prevent further damage. Only the southern tower retains something of its original appearance. Most of the sandstone door frames and lintels, and even a pediment, remain on site.
The reliefs are likely to be early to mid 11th century in a Khleang or Baphuon style.
The northern tower features a large, double-register lintel depicting a reclining Vishnu with a now missing deity seated upon Kala below. A small, damaged pediment above the lintel appears ...
The Maiden Tower (Azerbaijani: Qız Qalası), also known as Giz Galasi, is one of Baku’s most iconic landmarks—a mysterious, cylindrical stone fortress perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Caspian Sea in the heart of the Old City (Icherisheher).
Standing about 29.5 meters (97 feet) tall and 16.5 meters (54 feet) in diameter at the base, with walls up to 5 meters thick, it’s a symbol of Azerbaijan’s ancient heritage. Its enigmatic design and legends have inspired poetry, ballets (like Afrasiyab Badalbeyli’s 1940 Maiden Tower), and even currency motifs.
As part of the Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshahs’ Palace, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 (extended in 2001), recognizing its role in blending Zoroastrian, Sasanian, Persian, Islamic, and Ottoman influences.
The tower’s origins are shrouded in mystery, with no definitive records of its construction.
• Early Foundations: Built over pre-existing structures from the 7th–6th centuries BC or even the Palaeolithic era, with...
Yasil Bazaar (also spelled Yashil Bazaar or Yaşıl Bazar, meaning “Green Bazaar” in Azerbaijani) is Baku’s largest and most vibrant food market, one of the biggest in the Caucasus region. It’s a bustling hub where locals and visitors immerse themselves in Azerbaijani flavors, aromas, and daily life, offering a sensory experience of fresh, organic produce sourced from across the country.
Nestled near Baku’s central train station, about 15 minutes from the city center, it combines indoor stalls with open-air vendors, evoking the hustle of traditional Eastern bazaars while remaining relatively clean and organized.
History
Yasil Bazaar has roots dating back over 70 years, surviving the Soviet era as a key spot for fresh goods brought by farmers from Azerbaijan’s regions. Established post-World War II, it evolved into a central marketplace reflecting Baku’s role as a trade hub, with vendors offering organic produce that highlights the country’s agricultural heritage. Today, it stands as a ...
The Avenues Mall in Kuwait (also known simply as The Avenues) is the largest shopping and leisure destination in the country and the second-largest mall in the Persian Gulf region, located in the Al-Rai district of Kuwait City.
Opened in April 2007 under the patronage of the Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, it spans multiple phases of expansion (completed through Phase IV in 2018), covering themed districts inspired by global cities and Kuwaiti heritage, with over 1,100 stores, restaurants, entertainment options, and hotels like the Waldorf Astoria and Hilton Garden Inn.
Developed by Mabanee Company and designed with input from Gensler, it features areas like Grand Avenue (a 640-meter promenade evoking Paris’s Champs-Élysées), Prestige (luxury brands), SoKu (youth fashion and tech like New York’s SoHo), The Souk (Kuwaiti heritage with spices and local dishes), and The Mall (international chains like Zara, H&M, and Carrefour).
It employs around 30,000 people and holds LEED Silver ...
