The Si Mahosot Buddha footprints are Thailand’s oldest replica footprints, carved into a large laterite slab. They feature a central Dharmachakra (Wheel of Dharma) with a swastika-shaped hole, an ancient auspicious symbol. Housed in an open pavilion, they are among the largest in Thailand and are venerated with offerings like flowers, incense, and gold leaf.
These carvings mark the spread of Theravada Buddhism from Sri Lanka to Thailand during the decline of Khmer influence. Discovered in modern times (post-20th century) in Dong Si Mahasot, they reflect a shift from Mahayana to Theravada traditions, symbolizing the Buddha’s presence in an aniconic form.
The Khmer hospital temple (likely part of the Noen Phra or nearby ruins) is a laterite and sandstone structure typical of Khmer architecture. It was one of the 102 arogayasala (hospital temples) built by King Jayavarman VII (1181–1218) across the Khmer Empire to provide medical care and spiritual healing.
Constructed in the 12th–13th centuries, ...
Old Town Baku, known as Icherisheher (meaning “Inner City”), is the ancient heart of Baku, Azerbaijan, enclosed by 12th-century fortress walls that still stand 8–10 meters high and 3.5 meters thick. Spanning just 22 hectares, this UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 2000) reveals layers of human history dating back to the Paleolithic era, with evidence of Zoroastrian, Sasanian, Arabic, Persian, Shirvani, Ottoman, and Russian influences.
Settled as early as the 7th–12th centuries, it evolved from a Bronze Age outpost into a medieval trading hub along the Silk Road, fortified against invasions and serving as the capital of the Shirvanshah dynasty from the late 1300s to around 1500.
By the 19th century, under Russian rule, it transitioned into a vibrant residential quarter—home to about 3,000 people today—blending narrow cobblestone streets, caravanserais, mosques, and bathhouses into a living mosaic of Azerbaijani heritage.
The Palace of the Shirvanshahs
Perched at Icherisheher’s highest ...
The Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve, located about 60–70 km southwest of Baku, Azerbaijan, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed in 2007) renowned for its collection of over 6,000 rock petroglyphs spread across more than 1,000 rock surfaces.
These ancient carvings, found primarily on the Boyukdash, Kichikdash, and Jingirdagh mountains, date from the Upper Paleolithic era (ca. 40,000 years ago) to the Middle Ages, offering a remarkable record of prehistoric and early historic life in the Caucasus.
The petroglyphs were first noted in the 1930s during quarrying activities and systematically studied from 1939 by archaeologist Ishag Jafarzadeh, who cataloged over 3,500 carvings. Further research expanded the count and scope.
The carvings span six periods, from the Mesolithic to the Middle Ages, reflecting evolving human activities and environmental changes in the region.
The site includes caves, settlements, burial sites, and over 100,000 artifacts (tools, jewelry, bones), providing ...
The Shirvanshahs’ Palace is a 15th–16th-century architectural gem in Icherisheher, Baku’s Old City, Azerbaijan, and a key part of its UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed in 2000).
Built primarily under Shirvanshah Ibrahim I (1382–1417), it served as the royal residence, administrative center, and burial site for the Shirvanshah dynasty, which ruled the Shirvan region from the 9th to 16th centuries.
The complex reflects Islamic, Persian, and Shirvani architectural styles, showcasing the dynasty’s wealth and cultural role along the Silk Road.
The palace is a fortified complex with intricate stonework, geometric patterns, and domed roofs. Key components include:
1. Main Palace Building:
• Two-story structure with ornate halls and residential chambers.
• Features detailed stone carvings and arched doorways.
• Houses a museum with artifacts like ceramics, coins, and weapons from the Shirvanshah era.
2. Divan Khana (Court Assembly Hall):
• Open pavilion with delicate columns, used for royal audiences ...
