Azeri architecture is a fusion of east and west, of Europe and Asia. Here you can find gorgeous eastern mosques surrounded by western buildings in baroque style and by modern tall buildings covered with coloured glass blocks. Azeri architecture could be divided into four periods: medieval, oil -boom, Soviet and modern architecture.

Medieval architecture is represented by buildings in Asian style. The brightest example of Medieval architecture is Icheri Sheher (Inner city) in Baku. This is the inner part of the city that refers to the XII century. The main parts of Icheri Sheher: Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahlar Palace, famous bath house, Lezghin mosque and the wall surrounding the inner city which is also called the old town. You can also find many mosques around Azerbaijan built in eastern style during the medieval times.

Oil boom period architecture is mainly represented in Baku.

Buildings of this period refer to the period between 1880 and 1920. This was the time when first oil was found in Azerbaijan and many people became millionaires because of the developing oil business. Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, Musa Naghiyev, Ashurbeyov, Mukhtarov were among these people and were called oil barons. These millionaires often spent their money on building new residences, palaces, theatres and halls. As illustrations of the oil boom architecture Taghiev's residence, Ashurbeyov's residence, Mukhtarov's wedding palace, the Opera and Ballet Theatre built by Mailov would be suitable examples. The oil boom architecture had its own original features, similar to the architecture of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque styles. For example Phillarmonic hall, built in 1912 and City Hall building, constructed in 1904, where elements of European architecture were widely used.

Soviet period architecture refers to the years between 1920 and 1991 and could be described as mix of different European architecture styles, including classical style, baroque and rococo. If oil boom period buildings were constructed by different architectures, Soviet period buildings were mainly constructed by single person. His name was Mikayil Useynov. The most significant examples of his works are Academy of Science Building, Nizami Cinema, Akhundov National Library, Music Academy, The Nizami Literature Museum and Cabinet of Ministers. While Academy of Sciences and Cabinet of Ministers buildings are formed by different elements of classical European style, Nizami cinema, Nizami Literature Museum buildings mainly contain elements of baroque and rococo styles.

Azerbaijan modern architecture is also mainly concentrated in Baku. Buildings of this period refer to the years after 1991 and mainly contain elements of modern western architecture. The main distinctive features of these building are their height and predominance of using colored glass blocks that reflect the light as mirror does. National Bank building, ISR plaza building, International Bank building could be good illustrations of Modern architecture.

As you can see Azeri architecture has always been a mix of different styles and cultures. The reason of this is the great influence on the country of both Asia and Europe during different periods of time. But the important fact is that mixture of different styles does not make Azerbaijan architecture look bad and ugly. On contrary, it creates a unique atmosphere of synthesis of both East and West and makes Azerbaijan architecture distinctive from other countries' architecture.