The hotel kindly had made up breakfast boxes for us but with backpacks to carry we decided to decant the contents and squeeze it into the camera bags. Unfortunately not being a yoghurt eater Ian didn't quite appreciate the fragile nature of yoghurt pots so when we finally got into the departure lounge, having thrown the bags into numerous scanning machines, he opened his back to eat breakfast and was greeted with the sight of strawberry yoghurt all over the bag. Fortunately it hadn't got onto the camera but we then spent the next 15 mins trying to clean it up - it's amazing just how far it had managed to spread. I then had an idea to get a plastic bag in which we could put the camera etc to still use the backpack so headed off to a souvenir shop and with a bit of pointing and sign language managed to womble a large carrier bag from the guy - sorted. Otherwise the flight was uneventful and just 1 1/2 hours to Urgench which is about a 30 min drive from Khiva. Leaving the city we passed this statue dedicated to the historical ruler and commander Jalal ad-Din Manguberdi 1199-1231 (never heard of him!)
We knew we wouldn't have access to our hotel room but the coach took us there so the bags could be offloaded and we then walked the short way to the city wall.
Itchan Kala (Khiva) is an ancient, perfectly preserved Silk Road oasis city in the west of Uzbekistan, famous for its mud-brick walls, towering minarets, and intricate turquoise tile work. Designated as Central Asia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, it functions as a living, open-air museum where history remains largely untouched - as usual I took lots of photos, often of the same thing but from a different angle, so I try to put them in some kind of group order.
This is the rather impressive South Gate entrance.
With views of the city walls to the right and left.
These mounds are ancient burial vaults.
A close up of the gate.
Looking back out through the South Gate our hotel is just to the right.
This is the Islam Khodja Minaret notable for its blue-tiled patterns and tapering cylindrical shape. Constructed between 1908 and 1912, it stands approximately 57m tall, making it the highest minaret in the city. The tower features intricate bands of blue, turquoise, and white tiles contrast beautifully with natural brickwork.
It's visible wherever you are.
The Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum was originally built in the 14th century for the poet and wrestler Pahlavan Mahmud but it then became a dynastic burial site for various Qungrat Khans (rulers from 1904-1920).
A revered memorial complex featuring a prominent deep teal dome topped with a golden peak.
The architecture is known for its intricate blue glazed tiles and majolica work, particularly on the sarcophagus and walls inside.
Another picture of the outside with burial vaults
And without a doubt my favourite building is the Kalta Minor Minaret (it's perfectly shaped and the warping is just my camera!)
Construction began in 1852 under the orders of Muhammad Amin Khan, who intended for it to be the tallest in Central Asia. But the project was abruptly stopped in 1855 on Khan's death, leaving the minaret famously unfinished at a height of 29m instead of the planned 70m.
The Kunya Ark citadel is situated against the western ramparts of the city. This was once the residence of the khan’s and so the structures were intended to serve practical purposes. The chambers there served as mosque, reception hall, powder mill, arsenal, mint, harem, kitchen, stable, guardhouse and more.
The Throne Room
Muhammad Rahim Madrasa.
These two towers are part of the Konya Ark Citadel
This is a different minaret. It's only 32.5m tall and is the minaret of the Juma Mosque which is famous for its interior prayer hall supported by over 200 carved wooden columns.
Muhammad Amin Inaq Madrasa.
Allakuli Khan Madrasa.
The harem area of the Tash-Khauli Palace dates back to 1830s and features intricate blue tile work, traditional wooden pillars, and decorative brick patterns. As you can see it was heaving.
One of the rooms inside used for greeting visitors.
After a while the crowds disappeared and we had the place more or less to ourselves.
I was very tempted to buy some to take home.
In one area was the band of female musicians.
I wonder how much her mouth is worth and if she's insured for tripping over!
I love this vintage Weltmeister piano accordion
Although clearly this band member prefers her mobile.
The Islam Khodja Madrasa.
Which has a wooden staircase connecting to the tower.
She looks like royalty waiving to her loyal subjects.
This colour is all wrong, the tiling isn't green - I think the sun must have gone behind a cloud.
And to finish a few random shots.
You can't tell from this photo but there were quite a few steps up to this door and absolutely nothing to stop you falling off the side.
Most of the time the streets were as busy as this one. It's government policy for all school children to be educated about their history (presumably this didn't happen during Russian times) and consequently Sundays in particular are very busy at historical monuments with school parties.
