The "Istiqlal" museum
The “Istiqlal” museum was established during the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic as the first state museum promoting the history and culture of Azerbaijan, as well as the national artistic heritage. The museum was founded on December 7, 1919, at the initiative of the outstanding art historian-scientist Mammad Aghaoglu and Husein bay Mirzajamalov. The Istiqlal museum, which has more than seven exhibits, ceased operations on April 28, 1920, after the establishment of Soviet authority in Azerbaijan.
After our independence, the Independence Museum became the spiritual successor to the first museum, which reopened on January 9, 1991. The purpose of the museum restoration is to consistently reflect the stages of the struggle of the Azerbaijani people for independence. The museum has more than 20 000 exhibits, rare documents, photographs, numismatic collections, works of art and other items.
