Khiva

Khiva is a city in western Uzbekistan and the administrative center of Khorezm Region. It is situated near the Amu Darya river, and its historic core, Itchan Kala, is a well-preserved walled town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Historically, Khiva grew as a fortress city in the Khwarezmian state and later became the capital of the Khanate of Khiva. It was an important stop on the Silk Road, linking Central Asia with Persia and the Indian subcontinent. The city’s architecture embodies a synthesis of Islamic and Central Asian influences, largely built in the traditional Khorezm mud-brick style.

Itchan Kala contains numerous monuments, including the Kunya-Ark fortress, Juma Mosque, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, and the minarets of Islam Khoja and Kalta Minor. The Kalta Minor Minaret, begun in 1851 under Muhammad Amin Khan, was intended to crown the city but remains unfinished. The ensemble is notable for its dense concentration of courtyards, madrasas, mosques, and caravanserais with distinctive brickwork and tile decoration.

Today Khiva is a regional cultural center and a focal point for tourism in Uzbekistan. It is accessible by road and via nearby Urgench International Airport. The city has a population of about 50,000 residents. The climate is arid, with hot summers and cool winters, contributing to its distinctive desert environment.