On May 18, 2025, fourth-year students of the History Teaching specialization at Khazar University's School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences participated in an educational excursion to the "Yanardag," "Fourth Mardakan Castle," and "Ramana Castle" monuments. The excursion was organized by the Archaeological Monuments Collection Department of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and the History and Archaeology Department of Khazar University, focusing on the topic "Defense Structures of Azerbaijan" related to the "History of Wars" course. The special academic excursion, organized through the initiative of ANAS staff members Associate Professor Mikayil Mustafayev, History and Archaeology Department instructor Orkhan Zamanov, and the students, was significant in terms of providing a visual understanding of the important role of castles around Baku in our nation's military history, which constitute a vital component of Azerbaijan's defense architecture.

According to the program of the visit, the first destination was the "Yanardag" State Historical-Cultural and Natural Reserve territory. During the excursion here, the guide provided detailed information to students by demonstrating the historical structures and exhibits in the area.

Subsequently, an interesting excursion began to Mardakan and Ramana castles, which constituted the main part of the visit. Students visited the ancient village of Ramana and toured "Ramana Castle." Here, the guide provided extensive information about the history of the area and the castle, familiarizing them with the condition of the castle's surroundings and interior. During the visit to the Fourth Castle, Vidadi Yaptumov, one of Mardakan's elders, informed students about Mardakan's history, the structures located there, and the "Fourth Mardakan Castle." Afterwards, students climbed the castle and took commemorative photographs.

During the educational excursion, course instructor O. Zamanov and medieval specialist M. Mustafayev spoke in detail to students about the research of the mentioned castles, their purposes of use, and their place in our country's history. Together with Dr. Rukhsara Guliyeva, an instructor from Khazar University who participated in the visit, and other specialists, they conducted extensive discussions about Azerbaijan's castles. The direct acquaintance with the monuments was received with great interest by the students.