Comparative Study of Decorative Elements in Azerbaijani Eclectic Architecture at the End of the 19th – and the beginning of the 20th Centuries

This study examines the development of architecture and urban planning in Baku at the end of the 19th and the beginning of 20th centuries. During this period, the rapid growth of the city and the construction of new residential, administrative, religious, and domestic buildings highlighted the role of professional architects and engineers. Local architects, particularly Gasim bay Hajibababayov, Gafar Ismayilov and Zivar bay Ahmadbayov, contributed to the formation of a unified architectural zone in the city by synthesizing national architectural traditions with the principles of European and Russian architectural schools. During the period of eclecticism and stylistic preference, buildings incorporated elements of the Shirvan-Absheron classical architecture, such as arches, vaulted ceilings, dome interiors and volumetric-spatial compositions, showcasing the richness of national architectural traditions. At the same time, the use of reinforced concrete, metal, glass, and other new materials enabled the realization of large-scale structures, arches and dome designs. The study highlights the scale of development in Baku’s historic center and Absheron settlements, emphasizing national-romantic trends, religious structures, baths and residential buildings, along with their planning and architectural forms. The issue of preserving historical buildings is also addressed, noting that in 1988, more than 850 architectural monuments were included in the state-protected list. The construction of the Transcaucasian and Baku–Tbilisi railways introduced the “Eastern style” and Moorish architecture, which, combined with local architectural traditions, significantly influenced the formation of the city’s architectural identity. This research reflects the richness and historical-cultural significance of Baku’s architectural heritage in the 19th –20th centuries, resulting from the synthesis of national and international influences.