Sights of Khorezm
General information | SightsMinaret Islam-Khoja
The medressah is not so great with a traditional architecture but the main facade is covered with a rich decoration. The majestic 45-metre Minaret Islam-Khoja can be seen from everywhere. It is narrow at the top, with a lantern-shaped top crowned with a small cupola.
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Minaret Kalta-Minor
Close to the Muhammad Amin-khan Medressah it was started construction of minaret, which according to the khan's idea should be the highest one in Khiva. But because of the khan's death the construction of the minaret was not completed. That is the reason for its title Kalta Minor (“Short Minaret”). Its massive trunck coming thinner on top, is decorated with glazed bricks.
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Medressah Shirgaziz-khan
It is the oldest one in Khiva. It is located in the centre of Ichan-Kala, representing very big building without any decoration. It was constructed by slaves captured by Shigaziz-khan in his march to Khorasan. They were promised to be released after completing construction. But Shirgazi-khan delayed work and in 1726 the insurgent slaves killed him in the unfinished medressah. His mausoleum adjoins the building's main facade.
Medressah Mukhammad Amin-khan
It is the largest one in Khiva. The main characteristic of the medreassah is its hudjras (special little rooms where students live). The facade of the building is made of coloured bricks and mosaic.
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Djuma Mosque
It is majestic in its beauty. The date of its construction 1778/82 is inscribed above the gates. The mosque's 212 wooden columns supporting the roof are older, dating back to the 12—15th centuries. They were recovered from other old buildings that were destroyed.
Ak-Mosque
It is a part of ensemble and located near the eastern gates of Ichan-Kala. The mosque represents the monumental domed hall surrounded by wooden aiwan from three sides. Foundations of the mosque were laid in 1657. As for the existing building, it was constructed in 1838—1842.
Bogbonli Mosque
To the south-east from the Shirgaziz-khan Medressah there is a small but very outstanding building of local quartal mosque Bogbonli. It was built in the 19th century, but for its aiwan the covered wooden columns of the 15th century were used.
Seid Allauddin Mausoleum
This grown into the ground double-room monument is located between medressahs Mukhammad-Amin-khan and Matniyaz-Divan-Begi. A small burial vault with the unique majolica tombstone was constructed in the first part of the 14th century and in the 19th century it was added by spacious hall — ziaratkhona with a portal entrance.
The Akshi-Bobo Bastion
Rising above Khiva, it was used an observing area for frontier guards. The khan palace Kurinish-khana used for official meetings was here the main building. The walls of the building were faced with a rich majolica ornamented with vegetables and fruits.
Pakhlavan-Makhmud Complex
It was built in memory of this respected Khivan poet. After his death he was considered a saintly protector of the city. Pakhlavan Makhmud's grave and the mausoleum of Khiva's khans are part of this complex.
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Makhmud Rakhim-khan Palace
It is located in the territory of Old Fortress, known as the Kunya Ark. Walls of the palace were decorated with painted frescos. Nearby is a harem, a two-story building with many richly decorated halls and rooms.
