Monuments of Khiva : Uzbekistan

Khiva is historically divided in two parts: internal city Ichan-Kala and external Dishan –Kala. Ichan –Kala is a truly architectural treasury composed by more than 60 historical monuments. Virtually, the internal city is a museum under the open sky, which shows us an image of Oriental Cities. The city has a square shape and takes space about 30 hectares. Ichan-Kala encircled with 10 meters high defensive wall. There are 4 gates on 4 sides: Ata-Darvoza in the west side, Bakhcha-Darvaza in the north, Palvan-Darvoza in the east and Tash-Darvoza in the south side.

Islam Khodja Madras and Minaret were built by order of prime – minister of Isfandiyar – khan, the last khan of Khiva, in 1908. The Minaret’s harmonic figure can be observed from all parts of the city. Its high is 57 meters, and it is the highest minaret of Khiva. The basement diameter is 9,5 meters. The tapering column gives an additional easeness to minaret.  The minaret is belted with lines of glazed blue and green patterns composed in unique ornaments. This Minaret can be only compared to Minaret Kalyan in Bukhara, which was designed earlier than Islam Khodja Minaret.

Juma Mosque- a unique construction- located on the cross of two roads, in the center of Ichan-Kala. The foundation was laid in X century, but the Mosque was built in XVIII one. The Mosque originality lies in its construction. It has not such typical elements for mosques as domes, portals, galleries and courtyard.

Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum is located in the very center of Ichan-Kala. It differs from other mausoleums with a beauty of its dome decorated with blue tiles. Pakhlavan Makhmud was a well known poet and philosopher of XIV century, became famous for his athletic power and talent to cripple people. Only simple construction of mausoleum was built in honor of him after his death.  Mausoleum became an important place for pilgrimage as the number of palmers started increasing from year to year.

Amin khan’s minaret and madras situated in the western part of Ichan-Kala.  Amin khan madras built in 1851-1855 and with a square of 71x 60meters is the biggest construction in Khiva. The madras arch is decorated with cupolas and angle towers. Brick mosaic and majolica were used in building’s design.

In the western part of Ichan Kala there is a Kunya Ark Fortress, translated as “Old fortress”. The fortress building in Ichan Kala was planned in 1686—1688 by Arang khan as additional defense of the city.   The defensive arch was built around Kunya Ark in the end of XVIII.  And Kunya Ark became an inner town.  Originally, the fortress contained a khan’s chancellery, an audience room, a harem, winter and summer mosques, a mint, a stable, an armoury, a judicatory, warehouses, workshops and servants’ rooms. All constructions inside the Fortress were built in different centuries. Presently, particular buildings have remained, they are: eastern gates with guard room, Ak-Sheik Bobo’s access tower, audience room, winter and summer Mosques and part of mint.