Khiva brings together several distinct themes: Ichan Kala with its brick walls, striking buildings, woodwork by local artisans and dishes with a character all their own. If you are looking for hotels in Khiva, these highlights can help you choose the focus of your trip.
Ichan Kala: city walls and caravan history
Ichan Kala, the inner city of Khiva, is surrounded by brick walls about ten metres high. It was the last resting place for caravans before they crossed the desert towards Iran. The site thus combines a clearly defined architectural boundary with its historical role on a long-distance trade route. Ichan Kala is considered a coherent, well-preserved example of Central Asian Muslim architecture. The complex includes mosques, mausoleums, madrasas, caravanserais and markets. Its different types of buildings offer a glimpse of religious architecture as well as educational and commercial buildings.
Buildings on different scales
The Djuma Mosque is part of Ichan Kala’s architectural complex. Its covered courtyard measures 55 by 46 metres; two octagonal lanterns provide dim light, and 212 columns adorn it. The Islam Khoja Minaret presents a different architectural scale: at 56.6 metres tall, it is the second-highest minaret in Central Asia. A spacious courtyard and an exceptionally tall minaret thus showcase two distinct building forms.
The histories of individual buildings can also be distinguished by period. The Ko'hna Ark fortress was built within Ichan-Qal’a at the end of the 17th century and served as a residence for the Khans of Khiva. The Uch-Avliyo Mausoleum was built in the second half of the 16th century in honour of three saints; it stands beside the western wall of Toshhovli Palace. The mausoleum complex around the tomb of Pahlavon Mahmud was built between 1664 and 1913 and is considered Khiva’s most important pilgrimage site. These time spans show that Ichan Kala’s architectural history is not limited to a single period.
The Ata-Darvaza Gate was built of fired bricks between 1804 and 1806. In 1975, master builder Samandar Kalandarov had it reconstructed in its original appearance; the work was intended to preserve the sights of the museum reserve.
Cultural history, cuisine and woodworking
The state puppet theatre of the Khorezm region adds another layer of history: it opened in 1993 in a historic building in Ichan-Qal’a dating from the 1930s. This brings an institutional beginning in the late 20th century together with an older building. As a theme for your trip, the theatre’s history complements the long architectural history with the development of a cultural institution.
Local cuisine includes fish dishes prepared in a distinctive local style in Khiva. Shivit Osh, also called green lagman, is served with meat and vegetable sauce and qatiq. Local artisans make woodwork such as chess pieces, walking sticks and carved doors. The range extends from smaller objects to larger works; the individual products available may vary. Architecture, cuisine and crafts thus offer different perspectives on Khiva as you plan the focus of your trip.
For the broader travel overview: Khiva District.
