Baku’s premiere music venue, formerly known as the Lenin Palace, Baku Palace and Republic Palace, the Heydar Aliyev Palace was renamed after the late former president on his death, by his successor and son, current president Ilham Aliyev. It seats around 2,000 and, after recent renovation, in some comfort too. It is the place to see the biggest names visiting town which in 2009 included jazz-soul legend George Benson and Kelly Rowland, formerly of Destiny’s Child. Situated on the square facing the National, or Milli Bank, which sports a wonderful polished marble floor – great fun for pensioners in icy weather – and an iconic statue of Heydar Aliyev himself.