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...
Sing Buri Province, along the fertile banks of the Chao Phraya River in central Thailand, traces its origins to the ancient Mon-Khmer settlements that flourished during the Dvaravati period, later flourishing under the Ayutthaya Kingdom as a strategic riverine outpost.
The name “Sing Buri” itself derives from local folklore: a mythical lion (singha) spirit is said to have guarded the area, mating with a human woman and fathering a child named Singhapahu, whose lineage symbolically founded the city. This blend of myth and history infuses the region with pride.
Wat Phra Non Chakkrasi Worawihan, a third-class royal temple perched along the ancient Chakra Sri River (now Khlong Bang Ton Pho) in central Sing Buri, embodies the province’s deep pre-Ayutthaya roots, predating the kingdom’s founding in 1351 CE and tying into legends of the lost city of Singh Puri, established around 1107 during the Dvaravati era (7th–11th centuries).
Originally known simply as Wat Phra Non, it was renamed to ...
Discover Bangkok: From Suvarnabhumi Airport to the City
Join us on an epic arrival adventure in the Land of Smiles! 🌴✈ Touch down at Bangkok’s bustling Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and let this video be your ultimate guide to conquering the chaos and diving straight into the city.
Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned nomad, we’ll walk you through every step—from the moment your wheels hit the tarmac to cruising into downtown Bangkok in under 30 minutes.
First Up: A Whirlwind Tour of Suvarnabhumi Airport
Step off your flight and into this architectural marvel—a single, soaring terminal that’s one of Asia’s largest, blending futuristic design with Thai artistry.
We’ll start with a full walkthrough:
The Iconic Kin Dee Statue: Marvel at the 40-foot golden guardian spirit at the terminal’s heart, warding off evil and welcoming good vibes.
Next: All Your Transportation Options Unveiled
No more guesswork! We break down every way to zip the 35km from BKK to Bangkok’s city center (think ...
Wat Makham Phlong วัดมะขามโพลง is a mid-19th-century riverside monastery on the Pa Sak River in Tha Ruea District, Ayutthaya Province, founded in 1882 (BE 2425) to serve local farming and trading communities.
It received royal consecration of its sima boundaries in 1957 (BE 2500), marking its formal elevation as a parish temple under the Mahanikaya sect.
Local lore credits its enduring vitality to protective Unalom inscriptions, believed to channel the Buddha’s ushnisha curl for path-clearing and prosperity—drawing devotees for prayers on career, fortune, and karmic release.
Excavations in the 1970s by the Fine Arts Department authenticated its Ayutthaya-style elements, though the site blends ancient motifs with 20th-century additions, symbolizing continuity from Siamese resilience to modern Thai Buddhism.
The name “Temple of the Long-Pod Tamarind” derives from the ancient makham phlong trees shading the grounds, their elongated pods evoking life’s jointed paths in ...
