The "green island" of the capital

A mysterious (enigmatic) well, a house left by an petroleum millionaire, more than 10 thousand plants...

On the eve of COP29, massive reconstruction works carry out in Baku.  Extensive greening works are also increasing the number of "green addresses" of the capital.

Already, new parks are being built all over Baku, especially in the areas of residential territory, for residents to relax and spend their leisure time effectively, while the ancient ones are being restored and given a new look in line with the modernized Baku.

One such as place is the Dendrology Garden, which is situated in the Mardakan settlement of the Khazar district, 40 kilometers from the city and 3.2 kilometers from the sea coast, and which is considered one of the "green addresses" of Baku, with an territory of ​​approximately 12 hectares...

In 1895-1920, this area, which was the private garden of the petrol millionaire and philanthropist Murtuza Mukhtarov, was transferred to the state property in 1925, and in various years it was the as an experience base and operated under the Minstry of Heath and experimental base of the All-Union Institute of Applied Botany, the All-Union Institute of Botany, the experimental station of subtropical plants, the S.E. Institute of Horticulture, Viticulture and Subtropical Plants.

In 1966-1996, it was included in the scientific structure of the Botanical Institute of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences. Since 1996, the Mardakan Arboretum has been subordinated to the Division of Biological Sciences and gained legal status. The institution named Dendrology Institute since 2014 became a Public Legal Entity by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 7 January, 2022.

At the moment, major restoration and construction works are being carried out in the garden. We made our way from there and got to know this updated and modernized place.

More than 10 thousand plants covering more than 700 species

When we entered the garden, we witnessed the great restoration and construction works in the area. Major repair and restoration works are carried out in accordance with the relevant order of President Ilham Aliyev and owing to the attention and care of First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva.

Samira Baghirova, the deputy chairman of the Management Staff of the Dendrology Garden, who informed us about the work done while walking around the area, notes that the construction, restoration and improvement works have been started in the territory of the garden since 2022.

House-museums of Murtuza Mukhtarov, Sergey Yesenin, 4 ancient wells, greenhouse and swimming pools are being restored in the area.

We are also witnessing the construction of new footpaths in the territory, unlike before. The deputy chairman says that the new roads will ensure the comfort of the visitors: "Construction and restoration works are carried out without harming the plants.

Currently, the Dendrology Garden has more than 10,000 plants, including more than 700 species. Among them are rare, endangered trees, greenhouse, grass, flowers. The garden is a scientific-research institute, and at the same time, it carries out the work of increasing and protecting the plant gene pool in our republic."

S. Baghirova notes that besides studying the biological features of trees and shrubs brought from many countries of the world, their adaptation to the Absheron peninsula, which has a dry subtropical climate, their introduction, and their use in the enrichment of flora are the main issues.

At the same time, the age of these plants is determined in the appropriate laboratory without cutting down the old trees in the Dendrology Garden and without harming them. According to S.Baghirova, work is underway to create an electronic database of all old trees in the country.

In the garden, there are Eldar pine trees, which are more than 130 years old, and Aleppo pine trees, which are 170 years old. It is believed that these trees were planted when the garden was being built during Murtuza Mukhtarov's time. 

Picnic areas will also be created for visitors

As we walked around the garden, we noticed that new plants were planted. New types of plants have been brought to the garden in connection with the greening works, and this process will be further expanded after the completion of the construction works.

At the same time, owing to the garden's cooperation with botanical gardens of foreign countries, plant seeds are brought and planted in the greeenhouse, and after ensuring their compatibility with the environment, they are transferred to the open area. Currently, new greenhouses are being built in the garden.

It is expected that the repair works of the three-story administrative building in the Garden territory will be completed in a short time. Greenhouses will also be replaced with new ones. In this direction, the work rapidly continues.

Creation of a new fountain in the entrance section, major repair and restoration of round and square water pools in the area, and reconstruction of the fence along the area are being carried out. Also, the works of beautification of the entire area of ​​the garden, installation of a contemporary lighting system, construction of pedestrian paths are also being continued.

Sure, the little ones who will relax in the area with greenery and fresh air have not been forgotten. A children's playground is also being built in the garden near the administrative building. Discussion areas and picnic areas for visitors will also be created.

In general, the construction and restoration works in the garden are expected to be completed by the end of the year, and the restoration of Murtuza Mukhtarov's house-museum is expected to be completed next year.

Mysterious paths diverging from the deep well

This area, which is attractive to each local tourist, is notable for its modernity and high level of conditions, as well as its unity with the past. Preservation of historicity is also one of the main tasks in the Dendrological Garden.

Thus, the establishment of the house of patronage Murtuza Mukhtarov, who laid the foundation of the garden, as a museum makes the Dendrology Garden even more special. Currently, the restoration works are going on in the house.

At the same time, the wells dug by M.Mukhtarov in the garden area and the swimming pool he built for his wife have been restored, and certain completion works are currently being carried out. The pool cannot be seen from below. You have to go up the stairs to see the pool which looks like a big castle.

There are 4 wells of unidentified history in the garden, which we could not go near because they were fenced off for restoration. The most fascinating of them is the mysterious well, which is up to 30 meters deep and leads to various directions.

However, there is still no certain information about where these dark roads end. According to what was said, one of the roads led to the nearby garden house of Shamsi Asadullayev, another to the house built by M.Mukhtarov for his wife, and another to the Caspian Sea. The other well, located near the owner's house, was used to store products in terms of coolness.

It should also be noted that there is water in the wells, and it is even used to irrigate the garden.

The house-museum of the Russian poet Sergey Yesenin, located in the territory of the garden, is also being restored. The museum was opened in 1975 on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Yesenin's birth.

We also came across animals in a special area in the garden. Various types of animals will attract the interest of tourists by adding special beauty to this greenery.

In addition to turning Baku into one of the "green addresses", the works carried out in the Dendrology Garden are also an vital contribution to the preparation for COP29.

And our time spent outside the noise of the city, taking in plenty of oxygen, is coming to an end. We leave Dendrology Garden hoping to meet the next "green address" of Baku...

 Asmar GARDASHKHANOVA,

Ilham BABAYEV (photo),

“Azerbaijan”