Greetings from Azerbaijan
The mausoleum of Diri Baba
The Diri Baba Mausoleum is a Sufi pilgrimage site of historical and architectural significance. Built into a rocky hillside opposite a medieval cemetery in the 15th century, it houses the tomb of a unknown sheikh.
Various legends are told about the mausoleum. According to one, a Sufi sheikh named Baba is buried here. The sheikh spent his last days in seclusion, reciting divine verses from sacred texts when he passed away. His disciples, believing him still alive for several days after his death, named the mausoleum Diri Baba (‘Living Baba’).
In the cliffs above the mausoleum is a scattering of caves once used by pilgrims to sleep in. Steps ascend to these but entering isn’t recommend as they are home to snakes and scorpions.
29 Comments
grandmisadventures
Interesting to learn a little about Diri Baba
Sarah Wilkie
Glad you found it so – thanks Meg 😊
wetanddustyroads
I sometimes watch YouTube videos of locals in Azerbaijan making food in the rural areas – it looks like a really interesting country. I’m looking forward to your posts about your visit.
Sarah Wilkie
It was fascinating! I’ll post more in due course; meanwhile we’re now in Armenia for the last week of our trip
Diana
What a neat place! I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip, and I look forward to hearing all about it!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much Diana 🙂
Annie Berger
Glad that you didn’t enter, Sarah. I look forward to reading more about trip and wondering if you also toured other countries in the region.
Sarah Wilkie
Hi Annie 😀 Yes – having spent a week in Azerbaijan we arrived in Tbilisi yesterday for a rather longer stay in Georgia (10 days) and will then go on to Armenia for the last part of the trip.
Annie Berger
All such wonderful places to visit!
Smitha V
It sounds like a peaceful place and then comes the ‘snakes’ and scorpions’ that completely transform it into something scary.
Thank you for sharing the history of the place, Sarah. I haven’t visited Azerbaijan. Is there a lot to see there?
Sarah Wilkie
Hi Smitha 😀 We spent a week in the country and saw quite a lot in that time. The landscape is a mix of quite barren and more fertile mountain foothills. Baku is an interesting city and worth a visit for sure!
Rebecca
Gorgeous! Hope to visit Azerbaijian some day. Thanks for sharing, Sarah 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Rebecca ☺️ I hope you get to visit one day!
Jane Lurie
What an incredible site, Sarah. Thanks for sharing.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Jane, I’m glad you found it interesting 😊
Sue
Wow, what an edifice! And brilliant to have the diminutive person to get the idea of the scale
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Sue 😀 That is the security guard – I was glad to have him there for just that reason!
Sue
Exactly!
Image Earth Travel
Looks wonderful and a destination I’d like to visit! Enjoy, Sarah!
Sarah Wilkie
Many thanks Nilla 😀 I know you would love it here!
the eternal traveller
Snakes and scorpions would definitely be enough to put me off exploring further. What an interesting place.
Sarah Wilkie
It was very interesting. They provide hard hats if you want to risk entering the caves but I was happy to view from outside 😆
restlessjo
Is that a tiny Chris in the Header photo? xx
Sarah Wilkie
Haha no – it’s the security guard 🤣
Monkey's Tale
On your way to Sheki?? 😊
Sarah Wilkie
This is from yesterday when we were on our way to Lahij, where we spent last night. But we’re now in Sheki for a couple of nights, yes 😀
Monkey's Tale
Enjoy!!
margaret21
It’s interesting that this building is tucked away in its rocky landscape rather than being on a Point of View somewhere nearby. It’s a handsoe building, it seems.
Sarah Wilkie
Small but attractive 😀 There’s a steep flight of stone steps inside to reach the room with the tomb. Only a few oldstone carvings but worth seeing.