Turquoise tiles
Covering it all.
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An unfinished minaret in Khiva's Itchan Kala, in front of the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa, now the city's best-known symbol. Muhammad Amin Khan, ruler of the Khiva Khanate, meant it to be the tallest minaret in the Muslim world, planning a height of 70 to 80 metres, some sources say 110, to surpass India's Qutb Minar. Work began in 1852 and stopped abruptly in 1855 at 29 metres, when Muhammad Amin Khan was killed in battle near Sarakhs; the minaret was left as it stood, hence its name, Kalta Minor, «the short minaret». Its base is 14.2 metres across and narrows as it rises, and it is covered entirely in bands of glazed tiles in turquoise, green and white, like a huge coloured cylinder among the mud-brick buildings. It can be seen from outside at any time, a few steps from the west gate, and looks finest at sunset and lit at night.
Covering it all.
Never finished.
In Itchan Kala.
In front of the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa, by the west gate, Khiva
Itchan Kala, Khiva's walled cityThe walled inner town of Khiva, a World Heritage Site since 1990. It holds more 1 minute walk4.8
Juma Mosque, KhivaOne of Itchan Kala's principal monuments, in its middle on the road between the 2 minutes walk4.6
Islam Khoja MinaretKhiva's tallest minaret, about 57 metres including its base, built in 1908-1910 3 minutes walk4.7
Tosh Hovli PalaceA palace in Khiva's Itchan Kala whose name means «stone house», built between 184 minutes walk4.6Muhammad Amin Khan, who ordered it, was killed in battle near Sarakhs in 1855, and work stopped at 29 metres.