History of Azerbaijan Carpet Museum

The Azerbaijan Carpet Museum presents different schools and techniques from around the entire country, as well as covering various historical states and the development of carpet weaving. It has the largest collection of Azerbaijani carpets in the world. Among the exhibits are a spectacular Tabriz rug, called Ovchulug, and a Karabakh rug, the Dragon Carpet, both of which were woven in the 17th century, as well as the Khila Afshan carpet, woven in the 18th century in the village of Khila.

Beyond just the exhibits, the people who work at the museum preserve and popularize the ancient art of carpet weaving by holding discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and symposiums, often with the support of UNESCO. The museum was established in 1967. In August 2014, the museum got a luxurious new building, which itself is in the shape of a rolled carpet. The new Azerbaijan Carpet Museum was designed by the Austrian architects Franz Janz and Walter Mari.

Pieces from the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum have been exhibited in more than 50 countries, on almost all the continents of the world. Today, the museum is a large scientific center that attracts researchers and lovers of arts from around the world.