Khiva and the walled old town of Ichan Kala

Khiva is best explored through the historic architecture of Ichan Kala, the inner city. Brick walls about ten metres high enclose this area. Ichan Kala also tells the story of a time when caravans made their last stop here before crossing the desert towards Iran. The city fortifications and buildings make this place interesting for anyone who wants to discover history not just through individual buildings, but as a cohesive cityscape.

Ichan Kala: City Walls and Architecture

Ichan Kala is considered a cohesive, well-preserved example of Central Asian Muslim architecture. Its defining types of buildings include mosques, mausoleums, madrasas, caravanserais and markets. This variety gives the old town its architectural character: religious buildings, memorial sites and buildings from its former trading life stand alongside one another as distinct parts of a historic ensemble.

The Djuma Mosque offers a striking detail. Its covered courtyard measures 55 by 46 metres. Two octagonal lanterns provide only dim light; 212 columns adorn the courtyard. The dimensions give a clear sense of its size, while the columns and light shape the effect of the interior. Anyone interested in architectural forms and how they work together will find a striking contrast here to the city’s high walls and towers.

Mosque, Ark and Minaret

The Ko'hna Ark fortress was built inside Ichan-Qal’a in the late 17th century and served as the residence of the Khans of Khiva. The Islam-Khoja Minaret is 56.6 metres high and is considered the second-tallest minaret in Central Asia. Inside, 175 steps lead down to a main circular hall with windows, offering a view of the city. Khiva thus brings together different architectural scales: the fortified city, the residence and the towering minaret.

Gates and smaller buildings also tell their own stories. The Ata-Darvaza Gate was built from fired bricks between 1804 and 1806. In 1975, master craftsman Samandar Kalandarov had the gate reconstructed in its original appearance to preserve the attractions of the museum reserve. The Uch-Avliyo Mausoleum was built in the second half of the 16th century next to the western wall of Toshhovli Palace and was dedicated to three saints.

Mausoleums and the Living History of the City

The mausoleum complex around the tomb of Pahlavon Mahmud was built between 1664 and 1913 and is considered Khiva’s most important pilgrimage site. Its long construction period sets it apart from a building completed in a single phase. Together with the Uch-Avliyo Mausoleum, it offers insight into different forms of remembrance within the historic city.

Another cultural stop is the state puppet theatre of the Khorezm region. It opened in 1993 in a historic building dating from the 1930s in Ichan-Qal’a. The theatre thus combines a more recent institutional history with an older architectural setting. When planning a trip, Khiva can be explored through more than its monumental buildings alone: cultural institutions and local traditions are also part of the city’s character.

Crafts and Cuisine in Khiva

Local craftspeople make wooden items such as chess pieces, walking sticks and carved doors. These examples show different forms of woodwork, from small objects to architectural details. Fish dishes are prepared in a distinctive local style. Shivit Osh, also known as green lagman, is served with meat and vegetable sauce and Qatiq. These culinary and craft traditions add further dimensions of local life to the story of the city’s architecture.

Choose the Focus That Suits Your Trip

If you’re looking for a holiday apartment in Khiva, you can plan your trip around what you’d most like to discover: the city walls and architectural ensemble, the mosque and minaret, the history of the mausoleums, or the local cuisine and crafts. These highlights are all in the city and offer different ways to explore Khiva, so you don’t have to limit your trip to a single attraction. You can choose accommodation that fits what you want to focus on during your stay.

For the broader travel overview: Khiva District.