I visited this tWHS in 2023 focusing mainly on the 4 locations in the Absheron peninsula closest to Baku, namely Mardakan, Ramana, Nardaran and Sabayil. The other 4 locations are further north towards Siyazan and Shabran on the way to the Azerbaijan-Russia border (close to Derbent).

For starters, the only location of the 4 closest to Baku that is currently still on the Caspian Sea shore is Sabayil, in fact it is now IN the Caspian Sea and its few foundation remains can be seen during low tide from near the Baku Eye waterfront. The other 3 locations are now further inland due to the Caspian Sea shrinking. Nardaran Fortress is the next least interesting site and can be found near the town of Mashtaga, just 25km from Baku. The Shirvanshahs used the fortress for both observation and defense. Its best highlight is the Arabic inscription (seen above in the main photo). The Nardaran Mosque or Rahimakhanim Sanctuary which was built in 1663 is located about 200 metres from the fortress. What's left of the fortress is a square defensive wall around a round tower. Nearby, on the way to the other remaining locations, there's a similarly shaped fortress which can be seen and appreciated better, within the Qala Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum Complex, with some interesting archaeological finds displayed in situ.

The best partially restored/reconstructed locations are those of Mardakan Castle and Ramana Tower. The quadrangular Mardana Castle is bang in the centre of a very residential quarter. Right next to the castle is the small Tuba Shahi Mosque, and behind it lives the castle's elderly custodian who will proudly let you in and show you some of the best finds that are still kept within the castle property. Between the outer walls of the castle, reinforced with semi-circular blind towers located at the corners and along the wall, and the quadrangular tower, several "holes" and wells have been excavated so you really have to mind your step while visiting. Some of these holes are believed to have been storage place for food, sort of primitive natural fridges. There are a few interesting pottery artefacts, Muslim, Christian and Jewish tombstones, and a hidden trapdoor leading to an underground passage which supposedly goes far away along the coastline. The old custodian of the key won't come up the quadrangular tower with you, and for good reason as the wooden interior is in a shockingly dangerous state short of collapsing. Although the stone staircase is ok, you have to do a leap of faith from one storey to the next to avoid stepping on the wooden floors. The tower's roof is also in quite a bad state and although the view is perfect to appreciate the different blind towers and defense systems on the outer wall, each blind tower at the corners of the tower has quite large slots so I wouldn't suggest you visit with children or if you don't have a head for heights.

Last but not least, I visited the Ramana Tower which has the best setting on a rock outcrop and not in a very urban setting like the rest. Historian believe that there once was an underground passage between Ramana and Maiden Towers. Although I enjoyed my visits, and wouldn't have minded visiting the remaining locations, I don't think they would add much to the WH list.