Spectacular bubbling and explosive ladscape
Facts about
Gobustan Mud Volcanoes
Baku
Azerbaijan, often called the Land of Fire, has the highest number of mud volcanoes in the world. 350 out of approximately 1,000 mud volcanoes in the world are located in Azerbaijan. The locals have given them different names over the centuries and call them for example «yanardagh» (burning mountain), «pilpila» (terrace), «gaynacha» (boiling water) and «bozdag» (grey mountain).
The gas emitted by the mud volcanoes consists of 90 % highly flammable methane.
Volcanoes for 25 million years
Most of the mud volcanoes are located on the Absheron Peninsula, to which the capital Baku belongs. Azerbaijan is also unique because all kinds of mud volcanoes exist there. There are active, sleeping and underground volcanoes. Around 140 mud volcanoes exist in the sea: either underwater or as oil-spewing islands.
In the territory of today's Azerbaijan, mud volcanoes have been bubbling for 25 million years.
The mud contains iodine, bromine, calcium and magnesium and is said to have a health-promoting effect on the skin.
More than 6,000 petroglyphes
Not far from the mud volcanoes there is the Gobustan National Park, officially called Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve. Covering an area of more than 4,500 hectares, it contains one of the largest collections of antique rock paintings (petroglyphs) in the world. Visitors can discover more than 6'000 rock paintings which date back 5,000 to 20,000 years. The Gobustan National Park has also been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2000.
In the museum, which is located near the entrance to the National Park, you will find useful background information on the long history of human settlement in this area.
Bizarre rock formations and rock carvings dating back to 5,000 - 20,000 years in the Gobustan National Park.
World's best museum 2013
Gobustan Museum was opened in 2012 after a thorough reconstruction. Today it is a modern interactive museum complex in the collection of which are collected over 100,000 archaeological materials. In 2013 the museum became one of the winners of the contest «The Best European Museum of the Year», which is held by the European Museum Forum and is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world in this field.
Soviet-style taxis bring the guests from the National Park's entrance to the mud volcanoes.
Gobustan mud is healthy
The mud flowing from the volcanoes is cold. The organic substances, minerals and microelements it contains have medicinal properties. They are said to help with skin diseases, among other things. It is best to take an empty plastic bottle with you and fill some of the mud. Maybe it will do you some good.
The mud from Gobustan also has an industrial significance: it serves as a raw material for the chemical and construction industries.
Private tour to Gobustan Mud Volcanoes
Are you interested in a private tour to Gobustan or to any other place in Azerbaijan? Tell us about your ideas and immediately get an offer without obligation from us.
How to get there
By car
The 70 km ride from Baku to Gobustan National Park takes around one hour.
By minibus
From Baku, there are busses to the Gobustan National Park. From there you should take one of the local taxis (located above the museum).
By plane
The distance from Baku International Airport is 86 km. The journey by car or taxi takes about one and a half-hour.
By train
There is a train connection from Baku. The trip takes 1h 12 min and costs between 3 and 7 USD.
Gobustan Mud Volcanoes tours
