Castles of "Azerbaijan" NARDARAN FORTRESS vs RAMANA TOWER

Nardaran Fortress (Azerbaijani: Nardaran qalası) was built in 1301 by architect Mahmud ibn Sa'ad in the northern part of Absheron Peninsula. Nardaran Fortress is located 25 km north of Baku in the village of Nardaran near the town of Mashtaga. Shirvanshahs used the fortress for both observation and defense. Nardaran Mosque or Rahimakhanim sanctuary which was built in 1663 is located about 200 m from the fortress. But the geographical location of Nardaran Fortress indicates that there couldn't be a foremost defense. Similar fortresses were built there, from where it was expected to be attacked. Such regions were in the western borders and seashores of Absheron. But Nardaran Fortress was too far from the western borders of Absheron and also its seashores. The height of the tower consists of three tiers, covered with flat stone dome vaults and connected by stone stairs. The fortress was made of white stones. The height of the tower is 12 meters high and the height of the walls that it's surrounded by is different. The fortress is located in the center of a square courtyard. There are also 4 corner towers with a barrier and loopholes.

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Ramana Tower (Azerbaijani: Ramana qalası) – is a tower in Ramana village of Baku and dated back to the 12th century. Height of the tower is 15 metres (49 ft). Exact construction date of the tower, which is built of white stone, is not known. It is considered that the tower was built for the purpose of defense and used as a castle during the Shirvanshahs’ reign. There are two stairs for walking up to the tower walls. It is possible to walk up by spiral stairs from inner side of the tower to a corridor, which was built about 3 metres (10 ft) outside of the tower. The other stone stair walks up to the upper side of the tower from the garden. By means of these stairs it is possible to walk up to the tower walls and look at the village. Unlike Mardakan Castle, the natural location of Ramana Castle is different; it is on the rocks. The strong tower walls supposedly are a natural continuation of rocky slopes. There is an arch in the eastern wall of the tower. There is a strong rectangular donjon on the walls of the castle like a donjon of the Mardakan Castle. Entrances standing opposite to each other have a favourable condition of serving for defense. But unlike other towers of Absheron Rayon the entrance with spiral stairs of this castle is not at a height, it is at the level of ground. There are windows for shooting in all walls of the layers. Ramana Tower is similar with other towers of Absheron for its plan and architecture. But it differs from them for its more picturesque composition of the architecture. It is because of the relief the tower located on. The tower hasn't any decorative design and according to style its history is dated back to the 14th century.

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