In the middle of the hot desert sands Kyzylkum, in an oasis on the left bank of the Amu Darya is the ancient city of Khiva. If you believe the legend, it was founded by Shim (Shem), the son of Noah.

Previously, these lands were called Khorasmia, and later - Khvarezm And Khorezm, they were one of the centers of the Great Silk Road.

More than a hundred ancient sights have still been preserved here, which is why Old Khiva is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is useless to describe Khiva in words, you need to see it, because it is a truly amazing city.

Region	Khorezm region
Population
	6th century BC
Population density	5571.9 people/km²
Time zone
Postal code
International dialing code

Climate and weather

The climate in these places sharply continental, arid. In summer the average air temperature is +30 °С, in winter it drops to an average of -5 °C. It rains here mainly in spring, and in winter there is practically no snow. Air humidity is low all year round.

Nature

Khiva is located in the desert, on a plain in the river delta Amu Darya. There are practically no mineral resources here.

There is sparse natural vegetation on the sands: saxaul, hard-leaved shrubs. Tugai forests and reed thickets grow along the banks of the Amu Darya. Nutria and muskrat acclimatized in the river. It is also home to such fish as catfish, barbel, bream, asp, carp, and Amu Darya trout.

The desert is home to jackals and a variety of lizards. Birds are represented by such species as golden eagles, crows, and bearded vultures.

South of Khiva there are several small salt lakes, swamps and salt marshes, which arose as a result of flooding in the summer with water from canals and groundwater.

Attractions

Khiva is a real open-air museum.

The old town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This part of the city, according to historians, was founded in the 5th century. BC, it is surrounded by a city wall, which is part of Ichan-Kala complex, which translated means "Old town". The first buildings on this site were built here in the 5th century. BC, and today this complex includes more than 60 attractions.

It is worth exploring such unique places as the citadel Kunya-Ark XVII century. The east gate is worth a look Palvan-Darvaza, southern Tash-Darvaza, northern Bagcha-Darvaza and the most important ones - Ata-Darvaza. All of them were built in the 17th-18th centuries.

Visit the Tash-Khauli Palace, which was the residence Alla-Kuli-Khana in the 19th century. An interesting landmark is the minaret Kalta Minor. Its walls are decorated with glazed tiles.

The local mosque is very famous Juma, which was built in the 18th century. It has 218 carved columns.

The symbol of Khiva is the minaret Islam Khoja. It was built relatively recently, at the very beginning of the 20th century, but it is distinguished by its height: it is 56 meters.

In general, there are a lot of minarets, mausoleums and mosques in Old Khiva. A dozen articles would not be enough to describe them all.

Outside the old part of the city there is another one called Dishan-Kala. This is also the ancient part of Khiva, only here there were shopping arcades and residential streets. Dishan-Kala also surrounded by a wall. Here it is worth paying attention to the palace Qibla-Tozaborg XIX century and the four gates.

The palace is worth visiting Nurulla-Baya and also visit the madrasah Said Niyaz Shalikar-Bai.

An interesting monument of architecture and history is the mausoleum Abdal-Bobo, which dates back to the VIII-XVIII centuries.

The house of a famous photographer from Khiva is open for tourists to visit Khudaybergen Devanova. And these are not all the places that are worth visiting while traveling around the city.

Nutrition

Uzbek cuisine has always been famous for its delicious dishes. But Uzbeks value not only dishes, but also the process of preparing them.

Pilaf can rightfully be considered the king of the national cuisine of Uzbekistan. There are many ways to prepare it, and it is somewhat different in every city. Be sure to try it in Khiva.

In addition to pilaf, try such traditional dishes as shurpa, buglama, dimlama, manti. They have long become popular all over the world, but only in Uzbekistan can you try them prepared according to the most traditional recipe.

Uzbeks generously add vegetables, fruits and grains to their dishes, and consume a lot of fermented milk products.

Food is usually taken with hands, sitting on the floor or at a low table. Tea, sweets and fruits are served first, followed by vegetables and salads. Then comes the turn of soups: aromatic shurpa or thick mastava. Well, they finish the meal with meat dishes: pilaf, manti, shish kebab, lagman.

Accommodation

Khiva has a well-developed infrastructure. There are quite a lot of good hotels and mini-hotels here. Recently, a network of mini-hotels has begun to actively develop B&B. In most hotels, breakfast is included in the price.

The most popular hotels in Khiva: Arkanchi Hotel 5*, Scheherazade 2*.

A night in a small hotel in Khiva will cost you from $35 per night for a single room and from $50-60 for a double room.

You can rent a house or apartment for a day, but such offers are few.

Entertainment and relaxation

In Uzbekistan, nature has created excellent conditions for active recreation. Here you can go kayaking and rafting: try to curb the rapid flows of the Amu Darya!

From Khiva you can go to the mountains in the south of Uzbekistan. They are considered to be a suitable place to go trekking and mountaineering. Several dozen routes of varying difficulty have been developed here. You can choose a route according to your abilities. For example, one of the most difficult ones here is access to the peaks Victory(7439 m), Korzhenevskaya(7105 m), Khan Tengri(6995 m).

If you are into speleology, you will also like it here. Here are the deepest Asian caves - Boy-Bulok and Kyiv. Well, if you go west Tien Shan, you can admire underground rivers and lakes.

On March 21, Uzbekistan celebrates the spring equinox, the renewal of nature. This festival is called Nowruz. During it, there are dances, musical performances, atmospheric fairs and street performances.

Well, if you have the opportunity, visit the local Festival of Culture of Ancient Khorezm. For a few days here everything becomes subject to traditions and customs. This is all done on the initiative of local residents. They hospitably open their homes, invite people to visit them, and demonstrate various traditional crafts: wood carving, basket weaving, weaving, silk embroidery. Khiva residents always treat their guests to festive pilaf, flatbreads and green tea.

Purchases

In ancient times, the city of Khiva was one of the centers of the Silk Road. There have always been many merchants here. This trend has continued to this day: there are large and rich city markets and street shops. In general, if you want to know how the indigenous people live and feel the whole flavor of the city, go to the bazaar. By the way, people like to bargain here, and it’s best to go there early in the morning.

Buy some ceramic product as a souvenir of your trip to Khiva. There are many schools of ceramics in Uzbekistan, each of them has its own distinctive style.

Another wonderful reminder of the trip will be a handmade embroidered picture. In general, everything is embroidered here: paintings, clothes, accessories, and the variety of designs is simply amazing.

Often national clothes are brought from Uzbekistan as a souvenir. For men this is a festive robe “zarchapan”, and for women - "kamzul". Well, what about without a headdress? People buy skullcaps here. By the way, they come in a wide variety: from quite modest to very expensive, embroidered with silk threads.

Excellent carpets are also sold in the bazaars of Khiva. They are made of natural silk, decorated with patterns. Such carpets will last for a very long time.

An excellent Uzbek gift would be one of the traditional musical instruments: dombra, kobuz, dutar, karnay, surnay and many others. Their sound is very rich and beautiful, and their appearance is even better than their sound. They are decorated with elegant patterns and skillful carvings.

Transport

You can get from Khiva to any other city in Uzbekistan by bus or minibus. Travel on them is inexpensive, while the interval between flights is minimal.

You can also get here by train. It is worth noting that this is more convenient in the summer, because bus drivers often save on air conditioning. Branded express and commuter trains run from Khiva.

Not far from Khiva, in the city of Urgench, there is an airport from which flights are available to many major cities of the country. You can get to Urgench on a unique intercity trolleybus.

The city has public transport: buses and minibuses. In addition, you can use taxi services.

But there will be problems with car rental: there are simply no car rental companies here.

Connection

Russian cellular operators offer roaming in Uzbekistan. The cheapest is from MTS.

Mobile networks in Uzbekistan are quite well developed. You can connect to one of the local operators. This is very easy to do: you need to come to the operator’s service center with your passport. Pay attention to the communication standard when connecting, since not all operators comply with the GSM format.

You can call from any of the post offices. Paying for a call is simple: you need to buy a special card. They are sold there, at the post office, or in stores.

Wi-fi is available in hotels, cafes and restaurants. In the center of Khiva you can visit an internet cafe.

Safety

The crime situation in Khiva is quite calm. There are quite a lot of policemen on the streets who strictly maintain order.

Tourists often complain about extortion at customs under the threat of confiscation of things or money.

Despite the calm crime situation, walking alone in unfamiliar areas at night is not recommended.

There are many dangerous arthropods in the vicinity of the city, as there are deserts all around.

The water is not suitable for drinking or hygiene. Be sure to process products before consumption, otherwise you risk contracting intestinal infections. Fruits and vegetables should be peeled.

Some of the attractions are in very dilapidated condition, so you need to be careful during excursions.

Business climate

Recently, the number of people who want to start a business has increased in Uzbekistan. Seeing this, the government of the country decided to make the conditions for registering their own business as easy as possible.

In 2012, a number of laws were adopted here that improve and simplify small business. Taxes are gradually being reduced.

The Khorezm region, which includes Khiva, is predominantly engaged in agriculture. There are farms here that grow mainly grains. There are also several factories of different types here. Tourism and the service sector make a very significant contribution to the city’s economy.

Agriculture and tourism are attractive for investment here.

Real estate

The infrastructure here is quite developed. Until 2008, the real estate market experienced growth: demand exceeded supply, prices rose, and a lot of housing was built. However, the global crisis had a negative impact on the real estate market. Nowadays, little housing is being built in Khiva, and prices are falling.

In Khiva, housing is practically not put up for sale. There is little demand for it.

• The best time to go to Khiva is in April - June or September - October. It is too hot here in July and August.
• The police in Khiva carefully and strictly enforce order. Always carry your passport with you to avoid unpleasant situations.
• Take care of sunscreen and mosquito repellents.
• In cafes and restaurants, it is customary to tip if it is not included in the bill. Usually they make up 5-10% of the total amount.
• You will have to pay extra for photographing architectural monuments.
• Credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted in Khiva, but there are often problems when exchanging currency: banks simply do not always have enough cash.
• To import potent medications at the border, you will need to present a doctor's prescription. Jewelry must be declared at customs. The import and export of currency is not limited, but a declaration is also required.

Khiva is believed to be 2500 years old. They say that this oldest city in the world was founded by the Biblical Shem (Shoma) - the son of Noah. First described in Persian and Arabic sources in the 10th century CE, Khiva began to acquire its power and political influence from the 16th to 18th centuries to become the capital of the powerful Khanate of Khiva.

Sights of Khiva

1. Kunya-Arc

Translated from Turkic languages, Kunya-Ark means “old fortress” - citadel. The fortress served as the official residence for many generations of Khiva khans; until 1920, a khan lived in Kunya-Ark. The square in front of the central gate is the main square of the city. For many centuries, training camps and parades were held on this square, which the khan watched from the fortress wall. Behind the fortress wall in Kunya-Ark were located: reception hall, khan's office, winter and summer mosque, mint and of course the famous khan's harem, as well as many utility rooms, of which during the tour it is worth paying attention to the stables; the khan, like most rulers of the east, loved horses.

Ichan-Kala)

Center of Khiva or Ichan-Kala (inner city)- is unique in that it gives the traveler a clear and complete idea of ​​what the medieval Central Asian city looked like. That is why Khiva was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List back in 1984, long before Samarkand and Bukhara were included there.

Ichan-Kala is a real tourist attraction of Khiva; within the fenced territory of the inner city alone you can see more than 60 architectural monuments: fortresses, gateways, madrassas, mosques, mausoleums, minarets, caravanserais and baths. The uniqueness of Khiva is that Ichan-Kala is not only a “museum city”, but also a place where more than 4,000 local residents live, so that the real living spirit of Central Asia has been preserved here.

3. Juma Mosque

The Juma Mosque in Khiva is one of the most unique mosques in Central Asia, famous primarily for its archaic architecture, it was built in 1788-1789.Measuring 55 meters by 46 metres, the mosque is distinguished by its carved wooden gates, 213 carved wooden columns and a 47 meter high minaret. Approximately25 pillars date back to the 10th-16th centuries, of which there or seven pillars date back to the original 10th-century mosque, although the current building dates from the 18th century.Light enters the mosque only through two openings on the roof (skylights), which bring an atmosphere of mystery to the interior and also improve the acoustics of the premises.

From inside, you can climb a dark and narrow staircase to the 47-meter-high observation deck, bathed in bright sunshine.minaret of the Juma mosque, from where a beautiful panoramic view of Khiva opens.

The Tash-Hauli palace)

Tash-Khauli, literally meaning "stone courtyard", the main palace was built by Allakuli Khan of the Kungrad dynasty - the only Khiva khan who did not like to live in Kunya-Ark. Interestingly, the harem was built first and only then mekhmonkhona - a place for official receptions and lastly - arzkhona, the courtroom.The Khan's ambitions led to the unique design of the Tash-Khauli Palace, which surpasses the old palace in the degree of variety of patterns - majolica, wood and marble carvings, as well as painted ornaments.

Two separate entrances lead to two separate wings of the palace.In the northern harem there is an exhibition of crafts. INin the south wing there is a throne room.

The Pahlavan-Mahmud mausoleum)

A magnificent turquoise dome crowns the mausoleum, built on the grave of the Sufi, poet, invincible fighter and patron of Khiva - Pakhlavan Mahmud.The interior walls, ceiling and tombstone have continuous blue majolica tiles.The sacred well in the courtyard is said to contain water with healing qualities, and a bucket from the well is believed to ensure a happy future for dozens of newlyweds.The mausoleum is a popular place of Muslim pilgrimage.

The Kalta-Minor minaret)

Kalta-Minor means “short minaret” in Turkic.It is only 26 meters high, but its base is 14 meters in diameter.If it were built to its full height, it would surpass all known minarets in the Muslim world and would be 75 meters high!Alas, the construction of the minaret was stopped after the death of the founder of the construction, Muhammad Amin Khan, who died in a battle near Serakhs.This minaret is the only one in all of Central Asia that is completely covered with enamel bricks and majolica.

The Islam-Hozha minaret)

It is considered one of the main attractions of Khiva.In its conical shape, the minaret, 45 meters high, resembles the Kutlug-Timur minaret in Kunya-Urgench (Turkmenistan).Rising above the surrounding neighborhoods, the minaret is visible from any part of the city.It served as a kind of beacon for caravans.

lakeShorkul)

30 kilometers from Khiva, in the sands of the Karakum Desert, there is a real natural landmark of Uzbekistan, Lake Shorkul. Outdoor enthusiasts can take a walk or swim be in it. The lake is home to thousands of birds, including pelicans, cormorants, ducks and swans.

Guide:

Legendary Khiva - tourist "business card" modern Uzbekistan- living heiress and last capital of the great civilization of ancient Khorezm. And although the main " tourist sites"there's enough here" young"(XVIII-XIX centuries) the city itself has a very respectable age, and its fate is inextricably linked with the emergence, formation and decline of a powerful State of Khorezm Shahs.

Khiva located in the west Khorezm region in the very heart Karakum desert on the left bank of the Amu Darya. In different eras it was called differently, and Chorasmia, And Khvarezm, for a long time bore the name Khorezm.

There are many legends about the emergence of the city and its name in one way or another connected with the name Sima- son of the notorious biblical Noah. The most plausible one tells that the city arose around a well in the 5th-4th centuries, dug on his orders. The water in the well called Heyvac, had a special unique taste and remained cool even in the most intense heat. In the blessed place first caravanserai settled, which grew over time and finally turned into a city.

By the way, this well can still be seen today near the northwestern wall Ichan-Kala.

Initially Khiva was not the capital of the state at all, it was large trading city, located on one of the caravan roads The Great Silk Road between Merv And Urgench, the then capital Khorezm a(Gurganj, now Kunya-Urgench). But nature itself intervened in her fate. In 1598 Amu Darya showed her tough temper and retreated from Urgench(Gurganja), which has happened to it before, over the centuries the river changed its course several times, but this time a tragedy occurred. An unprecedented drought and the inability to restore the city after the destruction Tamerlane's campaign forced the ruling Khorezmshah to move the capital to a new location. So Khiva became the capital, and Khorezm Khanate of Khiva. Today 150 km from Khiva on the territory modern Turkmenistan the ancient ruins of the once great Urgench(Gurganja).

The timing of the capital transfer was not the best for Khorezm a. But over time, the period of decline passed, and Khiva in a short time managed to gain the status of spiritual, scientific and cultural center of the Islamic world.

After bloody wars and internal strife Khanate of Khiva became greatly impoverished, and local rulers replenished the treasury through countless raids on neighboring states (Persia and the southern regions of Russia), making a living by outright robbing trade missions and selling captured captives into slavery. IN Khiva And Bukhara there were the largest slave markets. Until the middle of the 19th century. According to scientists, it was " predatory state».

For this reason, in 1873, during a major military operation, the Russian Empire annexed part of Khanate of Khiva. City Khiva was taken by Russian troops and became part of Amudarya department Turkestan region. The slave trade was stopped.

In 1919, in parts Red Army the power of the latter was overthrown Khan of Khiva.

Today's Khiva - open air museum, rightfully claiming the title “ eighth wonder of the world" And this is justified; not a single tourist city has brought its treasures to this day in such a pristine form.

Preserved architectonics Khiva allows us to assert that it was built according to the principle characteristic of all fortified cities of the ancient east. The core of the city was the business center or shakhristan, and on the outskirts there were commercial and residential suburbs - rabads, surrounded by a high city wall.

Inner fortress of Khiva (shakhristan) - contains all the most interesting things in this tourist mecca. The area of ​​the ancient settlement, which exceeds 26 hectares, has a very dense development, so all the monuments, most of which date back to the 19th century, are located very compactly. A clay wall more than 2 km long and up to 6 meters thick, with four gates oriented to the cardinal points, separates Shakhristan from Rabad. IN Ichan-Kale About 60 historical buildings have been preserved.

Those who entered the inner city through the western gate ( Ata-Darvaza) travelers have a wonderful view. On the left side is ancient citadel, some fragments of which date back to the fifth century. On the right side is the Madrasah of Muhammad Amin Khan. A little ahead you can see a grandiose minaret. And closer to the center it rises Madrasah of Muhammad Rahim Khan II.

Closer to the eastern gate ( Palvan-Darvaza) located palace Tash Howley And Alla-Kuli-khan madrasah. On the southern side of the fort, not far from the gate ( Tash-darvaza), are Shergazi Khan madrasah, amazing Mausoleum of Palvan Mahmud, Mausoleum of Said Allauddin, and also Islam Khoja minaret and mosque.

Complex of all buildings Ichan - Kala is not perceived as an integral ensemble, because it was created according to vital needs. But even in such a diverse cluster of buildings, the picturesque architectural masses and a bewitching variety of silhouettes are visible. And most importantly, it clearly illustrates what a feudal eastern city was like in ancient times.

By the way, architectural reserve is not at all " dead» exhibition, 30 families of urban artisans live on the territory of the complex, and exhibitions and museums are open in many architectural structures.

Outer fortress (rabad) - Dishan-Kala not preserved as well as shakhristan. Unfortunately, all that remains is the gate and dilapidated fragments of the outer wall. Dishan-Kala was built by order Allah Kuli Khan in 1842 to protect the city from attacks by Turkmen tribes. More than 200 thousand people took part in the construction, and in three years the construction of the external fortification was completed. General dimensions Dishan-Kala very impressive: the length of the wall is 5650m, the height is 8m, the thickness of the walls at the base is 4-6m. It is noteworthy that the clay for construction was taken very close, just 2 km from the city in the town Govuk-kul. Today there is a large lake splashing at this place, considered holy. Clay from this place is still in demand by local potters and, according to experts, has excellent qualities. No wonder, as the rumor goes, Prophet Muhammad when he built Medina, sent for clay to these very places.

Much more can be said about the legendary city, but believe me, describe Khiva words are useless, you need to watch it! Admire the soaring minarets, wander through crooked alleys paved with chipped stones, admire the carved wooden columns of amazing madrasahs, pay tribute to the lace-like mosaics of majestic mausoleums and simply touch the rough surface of centuries-old adobe walls with your hand - that’s where it comes from - an oriental fairy tale!

Sights of Khiva

The ancient citadel, located near the western gate of Ichan-Kala (Ata-Darvaza) was once the core of the ancient city. The ruins of the Akshikh-Baba castle, which united several courtyards with internal buildings, have been preserved on the territory. Among them: kurnysh-khana (khan's reception room), a summer mosque, a mint and a harem building that was later added. Light carved wooden…

Madrasah of Muhammad-Aminkhan (1851-1855) Once the largest religious school (not only in size, but also in scale) in all of Central Asia is located slightly south of the gates of Ichan-Kala (Ata-Darvaza). At one time, huge sums were allocated from the treasury for the maintenance of clergy, servants and students. The madrasah accommodated 125 cells-hujras, located along the perimeter of the courtyard on two floors, several ...

The unfinished minaret, richly decorated with colored majolica, has a diameter of 14.5 m and a height of 26 m. Being located next to the Muhammad-Aminkhan Madrasah, it forms a single architectural ensemble with it. The minaret was conceived as the tallest building in Khiva, but was not completed due to the death of the ruler Muhammad-Aminkhan. People believe that this is how Allah punished the ruler, because it is reliably known that...

An architectural monument in Ichan-Kala, located slightly east of Kunya-Ark Square. Muhammad Rahimkhan II (1847-1910) - the enlightened ruler of the Khiva Khanate, philosopher and poet, popularly known under the literary pseudonym Firuz. An ardent supporter of literature and art, Firuz introduced lithographic publishing of books for the first time in Central Asia. The madrasah building includes two courtyards. Outdoor...

One of the earliest monuments of the historical part of Khiva. It has reached this day in a somewhat distorted and rebuilt form. The original appearance and exact date of construction are speculative. It is known for certain that Sheikh Said Alauddin died, judging by the inscription on the grave in 1303, but the mausoleum could only have been built in the second half of the 14th century, since its construction is associated ...

The Friday Mosque is the most significant building in the Muslim city and a subject of special concern to city planners. Among the famous mosques of Central Asia, the Khiva Juma Mosque is distinguished by its archaism and excessive traditionalism. This is a huge (45x55m) rectangular hall, under a flat roof, surrounded by a blank wall with three entrances. In the southern wall there is a mihrab niche indicating the direction...

The memorial complex, which grew up in a small secular cemetery behind the Juma mosque, is closely connected with the name of Pakhlavan Mahmud. Poet, philosopher, freedom fighter, unrivaled master of fur sewing, Pakhlavan Mahmud (1247-1326) is buried in his house-workshop. The master was a kind of talisman of the city, and over time, a whole cemetery of noble families grew around his mausoleum - his ...

Eastern baths - hammams have deep historical and technological traditions of construction. The baths in Khiva, built under Abulgazikhan in 1657, are one of them. Hammoms are of particular interest for the history of Khiva’s architecture, since they are the earliest architectural monument of this type. The monument has a popular nickname - Anushkhana Baths. Traditionally...

One of the largest religious educational institutions in Khiva, the Allakulikhan madrasah, is located between the tim (shopping arcade) and the eastern gate of Ichan-Kala. With its main façade it faces the courtyard of the partially preserved Khojamberdibia mosque (1688). The portal of the newly built madrasah divided the ruins of the mosque in two, for which the people called it “khurjum” - “saddle bag”. Specialists...

The Tash-hauli palace (“stone courtyard”) was built by order of Allakulikhan and organically fit into the complex of buildings at the eastern gate (Palvan-Darvaza). The complex organism of palace and residential premises is fenced off from prying eyes by a high brick wall topped with battlements. First, the southern part of the palace was built, which included the reception courtyard - Arz-hauli (judgment seat, auxiliary ...

At the beginning of the 19th century. Islam-Khoja, who was at that time the chief vizier of the Khiva Khanate, begins construction in the southeast of Ichan-Kala. His goal is to build an ensemble consisting of a madrasah and a minaret. The complex was built within 2 years and embodies the best traditions of ancient architecture. The minaret tower is 9.5 m in diameter and 57 m in height, and following ancient traditions, the minaret gains height...

One of the few architectural monuments of Dishan-Kala was built by Muhammad Rahim Khan II for his son Asfendiyar in 1906-1912. The architecture of the palace is characterized by a mixture of European and national styles, which is explained by fashionable urban planning trends of that era. The structure includes a reception area, a courthouse, residential buildings and a madrasah. Finishing ceilings, frames and parquet...

The minaret is located in the eastern part of Dishan-Kala, next to the Seyid-biya complex, which includes a mosque, a minaret and a two-story madrasah. The structure is of interest, first of all, because it is strikingly different from the traditional type of Khiva minarets, which taper significantly towards the top. The Palvan-Kari minaret is a rare type of absolutely straight, cylindrical minaret. It's hard to say...

In the very center of Khiva there is the world-famous magnificent medieval citadel of Ichan-Kala, which means “inner city”. Archaeologists believe that the foundation of the walls of Ichan-Kala are partly the remains of an ancient fortification dating back to the fifth century. Most of the architectural masterpieces of Khiva are concentrated in Ichan-Kala. Almost immediately an unusual...

General information

According to legend, Zarathushtra (Zoroaster), the founder of fire worship, was born here. Whether this is true or not, this religion flourished here for 1.3 thousand years, starting in the 4th century. BC, having a significant influence on the development of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and even Buddhism.

The artists and architects of Khiva were famous for their skill and aesthetic excellence, and their buildings with exquisite wood carvings and elegant ornamentation are amazing to this day. The most ancient part of the city - Ichan-Kala - is surrounded by walls 10 m high. At the western gate of Ichan-Kala there is the Kunya-Ark citadel. Inside there are narrow streets with houses with flat roofs, mosques, palaces, there are more minarets here than in any other city in Central Asia - and all the buildings harmoniously complement each other.

The symbol of Khiva is the stunning Islam Khoja minaret, 44 m high, bordered by elegant openwork white, blue and turquoise stripes alternating with clay. The Juma Mosque features stunning decoration with 218 elegant wooden carved columns from various periods, the oldest of which dates back to the 10th century. But perhaps the most remarkable testament to the city's architectural excellence is the Kelte Minar, an unfinished minaret exquisitely decorated with glazed ceramic tiles in turquoise, blue and white.

Khiva is a unique example of a distinctive pre-Soviet Central Asian city, a real open-air museum.

When to come

Spring or autumn is probably the most pleasant time in Khiva.

Don't miss it

Nurullabai Palace. Tash Khauli Palace - preserved intact, with gates and harem. Dishan-Kala Hospital is an eclectic building of the early 20th century, combining European and local styles. Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Mahmud. Amin Khan Madrasah is the largest educational institution in Khiva.

Should know

Khiva was the first city in Uzbekistan to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. However, Khiva has a strange abandoned city feel that confuses visitors.

It is not known for certain when the city was founded on the site of modern Uzbek Khiva. It is assumed that it appeared more than 2.5 thousand years ago, although the first mentions of it in written sources date back to the 10th century. Travelers of that time pointed out that Khiva was located on the caravan route from Gurganch to Merv (the modern names of these cities are Kunya Urgench and Mary).
Khiva became a predominantly Muslim city in the 8th century: in 712 it was conquered by Kuteib ibn Muslim, the governor of the Persian region of Khorasan. Over the next few centuries, Khiva, together with the Khorezm state, came under the control of various ruling dynasties of the Muslim world: the Africans, Seljukids and Anushteginids.
In the period from 1097 to 1231, the state of the Khorezmshahs existed, and Khiva was part of it. However, the greatest power of this empire, which stretched across the territory of modern Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Southern Kazakhstan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, was stopped by the Mongol invasion. In 1220, the Khorezm state was literally wiped off the face of the earth by the troops of Genghis Khan. Khiva was destroyed.
In 1511, the Shibanid dynasty reigned in the Khiva Khanate (as the Khorezm state was usually called in the last period of its existence). In 1598, Khiva became the capital of the Khiva Khanate.
The transfer of the capital from Urgench was due to the fact that the river bed changed and difficult living conditions developed in the city: the townspeople lost a reliable source of water and access to.
The acquisition of a new status by Khiva gave the city an impetus for development. It began to grow rapidly and as a result became one of the educational and religious centers of the state. A special contribution to the development of Khiva was made by Arab Muhammad Khan (d. 1621), who ruled in 1603-1621. and making Khiva one of the most beautiful cities in the state on a par with Samarkand and. In particular, by order of the ruler in 1616, a madrasah was erected in the city in honor of the naming of Khiva as the capital of the Khorezm state.
In 1873, Khiva was captured by Russian troops under the leadership of General Konstantin von Kaufmann, who five years earlier managed to conquer Samarkand. As a result, part of the Khiva state passed to the Russian Empire, the territories became part of the Amu-Darya department of the Turkestan region.
As part of the Russian Empire, the Khiva Khanate enjoyed a certain freedom: the internal laws of the region were in effect here, and the formal control of Russia, although it influenced the life of the state, was insignificant. Khiva acquired even greater importance in trade, as Russian merchants began to pass through the city, and Russian firms and trading houses opened here. In addition, the work of local artisans, whose products began to be in great demand, became much more profitable.
The Khanate of Khiva finally ceased to exist in 1919, when local authorities were overthrown by the Red Army. As a result, the Khorezm Soviet People's Republic was formed with its capital in Khiva, and in 1924 the Khorezm lands were divided between the Uzbek and Turkmen SSRs.

City-Museum of Uzbekistan

Khiva is located in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya in the Khorezm region of Uzbekistan. The city is divided into two districts: Ichan-Kala, hidden behind the fortress walls, and Diigan-Kala, built outside them. More than 250 historical buildings have been preserved on the territory of Khiva.
Khiva has preserved many architectural monuments that allow one to imagine the life of the Khiva Khanate.
Nowadays, Khiva is a city-museum that recalls the life of the Khorezm state, which has long ceased to exist.
Historically, the city of Khiva was divided into two districts. Ichan-Kala, which means “inner city,” is located in the historical center of the city behind the ancient fortress walls. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Dishan-Kala is the “outer” part of Khiva, built outside the ring of fortifications.
Architectural monuments preserved in the historical part of Khiva belong mainly to the period of the 18th-20th centuries. However, archaeological excavations have revealed the remains of much earlier buildings, including the remains of fortress walls and burials from the 1st millennium BC, on the foundations of which new buildings were erected.
One of the most ancient structures that survived in Khiva is the mausoleum of Sheikh Seyid Allauddin, which was erected in the 14th century. The original baked brick building, built over the sheikh’s grave, has survived to this day, but its interior decoration has been lost over the centuries.
The mausoleum of Pakhlavan Mahmud, built in the mid-19th century, became a popular place of pilgrimage in its time. It contains the poet Pahlavan Mahmud, who made his living by handicraft and became the hero of urban legends as an invincible hero. Over time, Pakhlavan Mahmud began to be considered the patron saint of Khiva. As a result, a mosque and a khanaka - a Sufi monastery - were built next to the mausoleum. Burial places of noble people appeared around the complex.
The symbol of Khiva is the Kalta Minar, built within Ichan Kala. What makes it unique is its unusual design: blue majolica and glazed tiles cover the entire structure. The size of the tower made the minaret famous: it has a diameter of more than 14 m. The name of the Kalta Minar minaret is translated as “short tower”: it was supposed to be much higher, but the work on its construction was never completed.
The spiritual center of Khiva is the Friday Juma Mosque. The original building was built in the 10th century, but in the 18th century. it was rebuilt at the expense of Khan Abdurahman Mehtar. True, during the construction of the new mosque, 21 columns were used, created for the first building in the 10th-12th centuries. In 1905, the Kazi-Kalyan madrasah was added to the mosque, within the walls of which both religious and secular disciplines were taught.
Inside the historical city there is the Kunya-Ark fortress, intended for the ruler of the Khorezm state and equipped with special security. Construction of the fortress began at the end of the 17th century, but the work was completely completed only in the 19th century. In front of the fortress is one of the main squares of Khiva, where military parades and executions were held.
A beautiful view of the historical part of Khiva with all its architectural pearls opens from the fortified Ak-Sheikh-bobo tower, which belongs to the Kunya-Ark fortress. Previously it was used as an observation tower.

General information

Location: north-west of Uzbekistan.
Administrative affiliation: Khorezm region of Uzbekistan.

Language: Uzbek.
Ethnic composition: Uzbeks, Turkmens, Karakalpaks, etc.
Religion: Islam.
Currency: sum
Nearest airport: Urgench international airport.

Numbers

Historical center area: 2.4 km 2 .
Ichan-Kala Square: 0.26 km 2 .
Population of Khiva: 51,200 people. (2004).
Khiva population density: 220 people/km 2 .
Average altitude: 96 m.
Distance: 1013 km from Tashkent.

Climate and weather

Sharply continental, characterized by cold winters and hot, dry summers.
Average January temperature: +1.9°C.
Average temperature in July: +26.7°C.
Average annual precipitation: 80-90 mm.
Average annual air humidity: 58%.

Economy

Industry: light (cotton, carpet weaving).
Agriculture: livestock.
Crafts, including ceramics.
Service sector: tourism.

Attractions

■ Cult: Juma mosque (XVIII century), Hasan Murad Kushbegi mosque (late 18th century), Bagbanli mosque (1809), Sheikh Mukhgar Ata mosque (1810-1838), Atajan-Tura mosque and madrasah (1893- 1899).
■ Historical: Kunya-Ark fortress (XVII century), mausoleum of Sheikh Seyid Allauddin (XIV century), Tash-Khauli Palace (1830-1838), Kalta Minar minaret (mid-XIX century), mausoleum of Pakhlavan Mahmud (mid-XIX century) V.).

Curious facts

■ Kalta Minar was intended to be the largest minaret in the East. However, the work was never completed. There are several versions as to why the bold plan was never realized. According to one of them, the customer - Muhammad Amin Khan - died before the minaret was built. According to another, the master fled because they wanted to secretly kill him after the completion of the Kalta Minar, so that he could not build the same tower in Bukhara.
■ There is a legend telling about the founding of the city of Khiva. It says that on the site of the future Khiva, Shem - one of the sons of Noah - dug the well Kheivak, which contained very tasty water. Here the city subsequently grew, originally bearing the name of the well.