Baku has historically been a city where various ethnic and religious communities coexisted. Jewish, Russian, and Armenian communities have functioned for many years as an integral part of the established socio-cultural environment in the city. The burial of local residents of different nationalities and non-Muslims has always remained a pressing issue.
Modern.az has investigated the Armenian, Jewish, and Christian cemeteries in Baku.
For some time now, the cemeteries of all villages and settlements around Baku have been transferred to the balance of local municipalities. Currently, the cemeteries existing in settlements and villages are on the balance of the municipalities of those areas, and services are provided by them.
Previously, the Armenian cemetery was located in Narimanov district. In addition, there was a separate sector allocated for Armenians in the city-wide “Gurd Gapisi” cemetery, and this sector remains to this day. The Armenian cemetery in Narimanov was relocated in the early 2000s and placed in the Hovsan cemetery. Currently, there is no other Armenian cemetery in the territory of Baku.
There is no separate cemetery specifically allocated for Jews in Baku. However, Jews use the Yasamal cemetery and a special sector allocated for Jews in the city-wide “Gurd Gapisi” cemetery to bury their deceased relatives.
As for Christian cemeteries, the Russian cemetery in Sabunchu settlement is entirely owned by Christians. A Christian cemetery also exists in Balakhani settlement. Furthermore, there is a Christian cemetery sector in the city-wide “Gurd Gapisi” cemetery. Also, in the Hovsan city-wide cemetery, in the Nizami district area – in the 8th Kilometer settlement, next to the car market, a sector allocated for Christian graves operates. A Christian cemetery sector also exists in Garachukhur settlement.
In total, there are approximately 65 cemeteries in Baku city and its surrounding settlements, all of which are Muslim cemeteries. There are villages where several cemeteries are located. For example, there are 5 in Mashtaga, 3 in Sabunchu, and in Hovsan, in addition to the city-wide cemetery, there are 3 cemeteries belonging to the village itself.
Moreover, almost every village and settlement has its own cemetery. It should also be noted that, apart from Armenians, Jews, and Christians, there is no separate cemetery or sector in the city-wide cemetery for other non-Muslims.
