Forest of columns
212 of them.
Gregor Rom — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dan Lundberg — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France — CC BY 2.0 · Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France — CC BY 2.0 · Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France — CC BY 2.0 · Faqscl — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Davide Mauro — CC BY-SA 4.0
One of Itchan Kala's principal monuments, in its middle on the road between the west and east gates. It was first recorded in the 10th century and rebuilt in 1788. It is a large single-storey building with a flat roof, 55 by 46 metres, with no dome or iwan, just one hall whose roof rests on 212 wooden columns in 17 rows, so inside it feels like a forest of pillars lit through openings in the roof. The columns come from different periods, some centuries older than the building, taken from earlier structures, and almost each has its own carved decoration, among Khiva's finest sights. Beside the mosque rises a 42-metre minaret. Entry is included in the Itchan Kala combined ticket, per visitor guides. Midday is best, when sunlight falls through the roof openings between the columns.
212 of them.
Each column unique.
Between the columns.
Middle of Itchan Kala, between the west and east gates
Pahlavan Mahmud MausoleumThe tomb of Khiva's patron saint and its most sacred place for locals: Pahlavan 1 minute walk4.6
Itchan Kala, Khiva's walled cityThe walled inner town of Khiva, a World Heritage Site since 1990. It holds more 1 minute walk4.8
Islam Khoja MinaretKhiva's tallest minaret, about 57 metres including its base, built in 1908-1910 1 minute walk4.7
Muhammad Rahim Khan MadrasaOne of Khiva's largest madrasas, facing the Kunya Ark citadel inside Itchan Kala2 minutes walk4.7
Sayid Allauddin Mausoleum (Khiva)The mausoleum of Sayid Allauddin, a Sufi sheikh of Khorezm who died in 1303, is 2 minutes walk212 wooden columns in 17 rows, some centuries older than the building, almost each with its own carving.