After a visit to Yeni Ramana, the new Ramana, and its oil pumps , it was time to visit the old Ramana, or just Ramana. The name goes back to the Romans, who allegedly settled here.
The trip to Ramana with the bus leads through one of the largest fields of oil pumps on Absheron, and only after I took the picture out of the bus, I noticed that it was not welcome. It was actually the only such sign I noticed and Absheron is full of these sites.
pictures not allowed
Is it because of technology – really? – or that this is an image of Azerbaijan that does not fit well in the brochures of the tourist office?
I left the bus shortly before entering Ramana to have the full view on the castle and its setting. The castle of Ramana sits on a hill with a rocky top in the village of Ramana. Attached to it is a box-like building, which turns out to be a mosque. I was not the only visitor this Sunday afternoon, shortly after me four local women arrived and were also disappointed that the castle was closed and could only inspected from outside. However, we all had the stunning view on the near lake and Baku’s emerging skyline. Yeni Ramana sits on the other side of the lake and is not only the new, but also the more lively and hospitable Ramana.
Besides the castle there is not much to see in Ramana – a rather large cemetery, many oil pumps and boys playing at them football and grazing cows at the entrance of the village. This picture makes me question, whether it is a good idea to drink milk here in Baku.
Life in Baku 