The territory of the site, located about 40km from Baku, is over 81,5 hectares. You can find yourself in both the Bronze Age and a medieval village in an amazing open-air museum in Azerbaijan. Here you’ll witness rock paintings, constructions and everyday items from the 3rd-2nd millennia BC and climb to the top of a fortress dating from 15th centuries, from where an incredible view opens up of the Absheron Peninsula. In the medieval town, meanwhile, you’ll discover how the ancestors of Azerbaijani people lived and see their clothes, crockery, coins and ornaments. Additionally, using interactive tours, you can try weaving a carpet, crafting a clay jug, baking bread in an old oven and working in a real blacksmith’s workshop. Among the key landmarks of the site are the 15th century Castle, ancient houses dating back to 18th-19th centuries, medieval era tombs and mosques, the Museum of Antiquities, petroglyphs, and the Archaeological-Ethnographic Museum. The exposition of yet another unusual museum at the complex – “From waste to art” – will bring you back to the present with an assortment of artworks made from household rubbish: cables, lamps, wheels, plastic water bottles, cellophane, toys, various car parts and many other out of use things.

The territory of the “Gala” State Historical-Ethnograpy Reserve got its status as a government protected reserve in 1988. In 2008 the museum complex of the Reserve has begun its work. Since 2011 the “Gala” State Reserve has been operating under the Administration of the State Historical-Architectural Reserve “Icherisheher”. The main goal of the “Gala” State Historical-Ethnographic Reserve is the preservation of the heritage, support of the local community which is living on the territory of the Reserve, as well as the provision of services for local and international tourists, to create an interesting and engaging experience for people of all ages. The “Gala” State Historical-Ethnography Reserve also supports archaeologists and scientists with their research to better communicate and study the history of Azerbaijan. Tours for schoolchildren are also organized on a regular basis to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to see firsthand the heritage of their country.