Azerbaijan Carpet Museum

Collections and displays

The permanent collection covers a wide span of production: village and nomadic pieces, workshop carpets, ceremonial cloths and modern works. Objects range from everyday rugs to finely woven silk prayer rugs and embroidered textiles. Exhibits are typically organized to demonstrate regional styles (for example Guba, Shirvan, Karabakh and Ganja), characteristic motifs and the evolution of patterns over time.

• Materials: wool, silk and cotton textiles.
• Types: pile carpets, flatweaves (kilims) and embroidered cloths.
• Subjects: geometric, floral and symbolic motifs tied to local traditions.

Weaving techniques and conservation

Displays include explanations of basic weaving techniques, knot types and dyeing methods, with comparisons of pile construction and flatweave methods. The museum also hosts conservation and restoration facilities where specialists stabilize fragile textiles, document provenance and research traditional dye recipes and weaving practices to inform accurate preservation.

Architecture and development

In 2014 the museum moved from its former premises on Neftchiler Avenue to a new, purpose-built structure on Baku's seafront park. The building is widely noted for its sculptural form—often described as resembling a rolled carpet—and for providing modern exhibition spaces, climate-controlled storage and public facilities. This relocation allowed the institution to expand its display and educational programs while presenting carpets in settings suitable for both scholarly study and general audiences.

Significance and activities

Beyond exhibitions, the museum functions as a centre for research, teaching and cultural diplomacy. It organizes temporary exhibitions, loan programs, workshops on traditional crafts and catalogue publications. As a repository of material culture, the museum plays a role in safeguarding intangible heritage: it documents regional weaving vocabularies, supports craft revival and helps visitors appreciate the social, artistic and historical dimensions of carpet making in Azerbaijan.

Practical information and further resources

Visitors can expect thematic displays, rotating exhibitions and educational events. For current opening hours, ticketing and special exhibitions consult the museum's official resources and cultural partners listed below.

• Official museum overview
• Collection highlights and online gallery
• Exhibitions and programmes
• Conservation and research
• Architecture and building information
• Visiting information and services
• Educational resources and workshops