Ichon-Qala Gates & Walls
The City Walls of Khiva's Ichon Qula are the result of centuries of reconstruction with. The current 2.5 km impressive mud walls date back from the 18th century when they were rebuilt after a Persian wrecking has since again been partially reconstructed.
There are four main gates - the western Ota-Darvoza (Father's Gate), northern Buhoro-Darvoza (Bukhara Gate), the eastern Polvon-Darvoza (Strongman Gate), the southern Tosh-Darvoza (Stone Gate) and about forty bastions.
Kunya Ark Fortress
The Kunya Ark was initially built in the 12th century, when Khiva was still a minor fort, and expanded by the Timurid Khans in the 17th century. Around the small, interconnected courtyards numerous residential and administrative quarters, the harem, and the Kurinish Khana (Hall of Receptions) were grouped. At the left of the gate, there was a guard house, the stables and a warehouse and have been only partially restored.
The 19th century Summer Mosque with excellent blue and white tiling and a red & orange roof, the Mint (now a museum) and the Winter Mosque form a single complex around a small courtyard.
Mohammed Rakhim Khan Medressa
The19th century Medressa opposite the Kunya Ark was built in the honour of Khan Mohammed Rakhim II, the last Khan wo surrendered the city to Russia in 1873, several years later than Bukhara.
Sayid Alaudin Mausoleum & Museum
A small mausoleum dating back from 1310, the times of the Mongol Golden Horde. The tiled sarcophargus is from the 19th century.
Juma Mosque
East to the Music Museum, the Juma Mosque has an interesting design with the entire roof structure being supported by 218 wooden columns, possibly an early Arabic influence. The two apertures in the roof provide light for only the internal courts, while the opposite walls lie hidden from sight by the many columns. The columns have been taken from the original 10th century Mosque, while the rest of the building is 18th century.
Nearby are the 1905 Matpana Bay Medressa, Arabhana (17th century), Abdullah Khan (1855), and Dost Alyam Medressa (19th century) and the 1657 Aq Mosque and Anusha Khan Baths.
Alloquli Khan Medressa, Bazaar and Caravansaray
Alloquli Khan ruled in the 1830-40's, an apparently very prosperous time according to the row of buildings dating from his reign, a.o. Alloquli Khan and Kutlimurodinok Medressa, and Alloquli Khan Bazaar and Caravansaray.
Tosh Khovli Palace
The Tosh Khovli (Stone House) has some of Khiva's finest interior decoration with ceramic tiling, carved stone and wood and ghanch. It was also build by Alloquli Khan in 1832-1841 as an alternative residence to the Kunya Ark and is supposed to contain over 150 rooms and 9 courtyards. Some of the most outstanding are the recesses of the Harem to the south of the building.
Islom Khoja Medressa
Khivas newest monument, with 45 m the enormous Minarett of Islam Khoja Medressa is Khivas tallest building and visible from far away. The Medressa has Khiva's best mueseum of Khorezm handicrafts. As Grand Vizir, Islom Khoja was one of Khiva's most progressive men at the beginning of the 20th century.
Pahlavon Mohammed Mausoleum & Sherghozi Khan Medressa
The Pahlavon Mohammed Mausoleum, surrounded by a multitude of small tombs, is separated from the noisy street by a low, whitewashed wall. It was built on the site of Pahlavon's tomb of 1326, one of Khiva's famous philosophers, wrestlers and it's Patron Saint. There is a beautiful Persian-style chamber, where Rakhim Khan II's tomb is located (1865-1910).
Sherghozi Khan Medressa holds a museum of ancient medicine.
Dishon Qala
Dishon-Qala is everything outside Inchon-Qala - Khiva's outer city, remains (amidst the modern town) include 1-2 Gates of the outer wall. The palaces of the last Khans - a.o. Isfandiyar Palace (1906-1912) display monumental forms and a wealth of ornamentation, and a mixture of European and Islamic styles of design and decoration.
Frequent buses bump and grind between Urgench and Khiva. Urgench is a handy 16 hours by bus west of Tashkent; flying cuts journey time to three hours. Travellers should plan a whole day for the overland ride from Bukhara across the Kyzylkum desert.
