Viewing platform
Khiva's highest point.
Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy — CC BY 2.0 · Bgag — CC0 · LBM1948 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Patrickringgenberg — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Panpanchik — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Davide Mauro — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Fulvio — CC BY 2.0 · Nassima Chahboun — CC BY-SA 4.0
Khiva's tallest minaret, about 57 metres including its base, built in 1908-1910 on the orders of Islam Khoja, grand vizier of the Khiva Khanate under Muhammad Rakhim Khan II and his son Isfandiyar Khan. The ensemble pairs Khiva's smallest madrasa with its tallest minaret, a deliberate architectural contrast. The minaret is wrapped in alternating bands of brick and turquoise and white tiles, tapering as it rises to its lantern. Visitors climb a narrow, steep spiral stair to the viewing platform at about 45 metres, the highest viewpoint in Khiva, where all of Itchan Kala spreads out, walls, domes and minarets, with the desert beyond. The climb costs about 100,000 som extra on top of the combined ticket, per visitor guides. The stair is narrow and dark, not for the claustrophobic, and late afternoon is the best time.
Khiva's highest point.
Turquoise and white.
Desert beyond.
Southeast Itchan Kala, Khiva
Juma Mosque, KhivaOne of Itchan Kala's principal monuments, in its middle on the road between the 1 minute walk4.6
Itchan Kala, Khiva's walled cityThe walled inner town of Khiva, a World Heritage Site since 1990. It holds more 2 minutes walk4.8
Tosh Hovli PalaceA palace in Khiva's Itchan Kala whose name means «stone house», built between 183 minutes walk4.6
Kalta Minor minaretAn unfinished minaret in Khiva's Itchan Kala, in front of the Muhammad Amin Khan3 minutes walk4.9Yes, for about 100,000 som extra per visitor guides, up a narrow spiral stair to a platform about 45 metres up.