“Ateshgah Temple” State Historical-Architectural Reserve – The first buildings of Ateshgah temple dates back to II-III centuries. At that time Zoroastrianism spread across Azerbaijan. Therefor Zoroastrian temples were built in the regions. Ateshgah temple in Surakhani was in use as a place of worship until VII century. In VII century people in Azerbaijan converted to Islam. After that Zoroastrian temples began to disappear as a place of worship. “Ateshgah” temple began its new life in XVI-XVII centuries. At the time Silk Way passed through Azerbaijan. The merchants visiting Azerbaijan began to talk about natural fire extracting from the ground in Surakhani when they returned their homeland. As a result, pilgrims and fire-worshipper began to come to this place. This place became a sacred place for them. Fire-worshippers from different countries including India worshipped to fire in this temple. A well-known Indian scholar Mode wrote about the temple: one of the most sacred temples in the world is located in Surakhani, Azerbaijan. In general, “Ateshgah” temple always attracted attention. People with different views, as well as travelers, foreign writers, scholars paid visits to this temple once. A. Dumas, Kenfr, Villot, Berezin, D. Mendeleyev were among them. Fire-worshippers who visited the temple were staying in the cells. 3-4 persons were staying in one cell. The merchants coming from different countries also paid visits to Ateshgah as a sacred place. They stayed and rested in here and allocated aid for fire-worshippers and Zoroastrians. Ateshgah consisted of 26 cells and one central chapel. Central chapel was considered as the most sacred place. Only high priests could enter it and worship in there. Ordinary fire-worshippers were not allowed to enter the chapel. There are 20 valuable inscriptions in the temple. They are placed on the cells. Zoroaster placed one of them, fire-worshippers placed the rest. One of them is written in Persian, the rest is written in Indian. In every inscription the name of the merchant that built the room and the date of building, as well as the names of Indian gods were written. The cells were used as living place, temple and inn. Last year two new cells were opened. One of them belongs to Azerbaijan, the other one belongs to material culture of Surakhani district. Some samples were collected from the possessions belonging to BC in those cells. President of Azerbaijan, taking into consideration originality, uniqueness and being listed in List of World Heritage Sites of UNESCO, signed a Decree “on declaring “Territory of Ateshgah temple in Surakhani district of Baku city as “Ateshgah Temple” State Historical-Architectural Reserve” on December 19, 2007. http://www.anl.az/down/meqale/xalqcebhesi/2011/fevral/154317.htm