A walking open air historical museum.
Perfectly preserved to this day, the historically valuable city of Khiva has centuries-old mentions in the annalistic sources of travelers.
There is an assumption that the founder of Zoroastrianism, Zarathushtra, was born on the land of Khiva. His religion influenced the spread and rooting of Judaism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism among local population.
Historical Monuments of Khiva
The city is divided into 2 cities: Itchan Kala and Dishan Kala, i.e., inner and outer city.
From the point of antiquity Itchan Kala is most remarkable. It is surrounded by walls 10 meters high. At the western gate there is Kunya-ark citadel. Until today on the territory of the ancient part of the city there are houses with flat roofs, mosques, palaces, minarets that have survived and their amount is greater than in other cities of Central Asia.
Among the special attractions of Khiva:
- The Islam Khoja minaret is a symbol of Khiva 44 meters high. The exterior trim is bordered with openwork stripes alternating in white, blue and turquoise colours.
- Juma Mosque is a building with original decoration and 218 carved wooden columns.
- Kelte Minar is an unfinished minaret decorated with glazed ceramic tiles in turquoise, blue and white. It is unfinished due to death of the ruler.
- Tash Hauli Palace is a structure preserved intact with the gate and harem.
