Discover Yanar Dag, Azerbaijan’s Burning Mountain near Baku. Learn its history, how the flames endure, and tips for visiting this unique natural wonder.
Not far from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, there is an unusual place where the ground seems to burn by itself. This is Yanar Dag—Burning Mountain. Its flames have been alive for many years, and this is no folklore flourish but a genuine natural phenomenon.
Yanar Dag sits on the Absheron Peninsula, about 25 kilometers from Baku. On the slope of a hill, tongues of fire burst from the earth—stretching roughly 10 meters and rising up to a meter high. The blaze is fed by natural gas seeping through the soil. When that gas meets air, it ignites and keeps burning—rain and wind don’t put it out.
This place was known in antiquity. The traveler Marco Polo wrote about lands where the ground burned on its own, and the writer Alexandre Dumas, who came here in the 19th century, was struck by what he saw. In earlier times, such sites were treated as sacred, and people who believed in the power of fire came to pray.
There is a view that flames like these were used in rituals of ancient Zoroastrianism, where fire symbolized purity. People revered such places, seeing them as gifts from the gods.
Until the 2000s, Yanar Dag was barely known to travelers. In 2007, Azerbaijan’s authorities designated it a protected natural area. A reconstruction followed, with new walkways, viewing platforms, a museum, and even a small amphitheater. The work wrapped up in 2019, and the site is now a modern, comfortable place to witness a rare spectacle firsthand.
The protected area covers nearly 65 hectares. In the museum, visitors learn about the site’s history, how the fire forms, and why it doesn’t go out—presented in a way that keeps both adults and children engaged.
Getting to Yanar Dag is simple: it’s roughly a half-hour drive from Baku. Tickets are affordable, and the grounds are well prepared for visitors. The evening is when it shines—literally—its flames standing out sharply against the dark. The view stays with you; few sights feel this elemental.
For people in Azerbaijan, Yanar Dag is more than a curiosity. It is part of their culture and history, a reminder of ancient traditions and the raw force of nature.
Although the gas burns steadily, specialists keep watch. Gas is a natural resource and needs careful handling. Since Yanar Dag is now under protection, there is every reason to hope it will continue to inspire future generations.
Yanar Dag is not just fire on a hillside. It is a place where nature shows its power and beauty. Even if you never make the trip, knowing such a phenomenon exists feels worthwhile. It is history, culture, and a one-of-a-kind natural wonder—rolled into one.