# Round Castle

- **Country:** Azerbaijan
- **Coordinates:** 40.495713, 50.147079
- **Name:** Round Tower
- **Architect:** Abd al-Majid Masood oghlu
- **Condition:** Used as museum
- **Materials:** Limestone
- **Year Built:** 1232
- **Location Text:** Mardakan
- **Architectural Style:** Architectural school of Shirvan-Absheron

The Round Mardakan Fortress, also known as the Small Mardakan Castle, is a significant historical monument situated in the Mardakan settlement of the Khazar district in Baku, Azerbaijan. Constructed in 1232 under the order of Shirvanshah Fariburz III, this structure stands as a prime example of the Shirvan-Absheron architectural school. The castle was designed by the architect Abd al-Majid Masood oghlu and built using local limestone bonded with lime mortar. Its distinctive design features a central round tower with a diameter of 7.6 meters and walls two meters thick at the base, surrounded by high defensive walls supported by blind towers. The interior of the main tower is divided into three tiers, each covered with stone flat domes, and includes unique features such as a sanitary niche with an external drain located within the third-floor wall thickness.

Historically, the fortress was part of a larger complex of coastal defense facilities along the Caspian Sea, though the surrounding structures have not survived to the present day. An inscription on the donjon confirms its construction date and patronage, serving as a vital historical record. In recognition of its global value, the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan designated it as a monument of world importance in 2001. That same year, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Reserve List alongside other Caspian shore defensive constructions, highlighting its role in regional military history and architectural heritage.

Today, the Round Mardakan Fortress is well-preserved and functions as a museum, allowing visitors to explore its medieval engineering and strategic design. Standing 16 meters tall, the castle remains a testament to the defensive capabilities and artistic achievements of 13th-century Azerbaijan. Its continued status as a protected site ensures that the legacy of the Shirvanshah era remains accessible to the public, offering insight into the architectural evolution and historical conflicts of the Absheron Peninsula.

![Photo of Round Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Mardakankrugbashnya2.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Round_Castle_(Mardakan) (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)