Phespirit goes to Azerbaijan
Baku     June 2008

THE LAST WORD

Julius Maximus, Roman centurian from the 12th Legion, cut graffiti into the rock on the other side of these railings. It is considered the most easterly Roman relic ever found.

There is a secret way onto this rock for the cognoscenti .....

..... but Phespirit won't tell.

ELEMENTAL TEMPLE

A flame still flickers at the centre of the fire temple at Suraxanı, but these days it is fed by a gas pipeline rather than by nature.

Its historical significance remains intact but its soul was extinguished long ago.

MAN ON FIRE

This, on the other hand, is a proper fire, fed by natural gas seeping through the hillside. It has been burning like this for longer than anyone can remember.

No temple required.