Historian and environmental expert with a focus on Central Asia history and geography.

The Uzbek government has decided to designate its historic city, Khiva, as the tourist capital of the Islamic world in 2024. Khiva is a historic city in Uzbekistan that is known for its well-preserved architecture, rich history, and cultural significance. Khiva is a beautiful oasis city with ancient walls, minarets and unique clay buildings."Referred to as the "open-air museum under the sky," this city, for those who wish to visit, is reached by a 1.5-hour plane journey from the capital, Tashkent, first to Urgench, followed by approximately a 45-minute road trip to Khiva.

Khiva is over 2500 years old.Ibraimovna (2023) writes that “Archaeologists  claim  that  Khiva  already  existed  in  the  6th  century  BC  and  was indeed called Kheyvak”. In the heart of Central Asia, the ancient city of Khiva in Uzbekistan, where the earthy tones and red prevail, takes visitors on a stroll through a fairy-tale world. Hiva is one of the oldest cities along the historic Silk Road. The ancient Khiva is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

            In the 9th-11th centuries Khiva was transformed into a major center of religion and science. For example, scientists Al-Khwarizmi and Al-Beruni worked here (Ibraimovna, 2023). Accoding to Ibraimovna (2023), “in the 16th century Uzbek nomadic tribes came to Khiva. In 1598 Khiva was proclaimed the capital of the  Khiva  Khanate  and  in  the  first  half  of  the  17th  century  became  one  of  the  Islamic  centers.  Many mosques  were  erected  here,  as  well  as  madrasas -educational  institutions  for  the  study  of  Islam. XVIII-XIX  centuries  also  presented  Khiva  with  many  architectural  sights”. 

The  Islam-Khoja  complex, which  combines  the  madrassas  and  the  minaret  of  the  same  name,  was built  in  1910.

Islam Khoja complex, Khiva - Anur Tour Central Asia (tourstouzbekistan.com)

The most visually and architecturally impressive section of Khiva is the "Inner Fortress," where not a single new structure is found. Kunya-Ar is  a  fortress  within  a  fortress.  The  citadel  began  to  be  built  in 1688  within  the  walls  of Ichan-Kala.

Kunya-ark fortress is the first palace of Khiva ruler - Central-asia.guide

In every street of the old city, one can come across structures adorned with cut cone-shaped minarets, two-story madrasas, the summer and winter palace of the ruler of the time, a great mosque, and numerous buildings in earthy tones, all decorated with blue, turquoise, and green tiles. The most striking feature in Khiva is its entirely horizontal architectural design.

Ichan-Kala is one of the largest historical landmarks in Khiva where all significant sites of Khiva are located. It is an ancient fortress surrounded by a high defensive wall. On the territory of the fortress is a state historical and archaeological museum-reserve. The construction of the fortress began in 1598. Scientists suggest that Ichan-Kala rests on the ancient fortification that was located here in the 5th century.

Ichan-Kala, Asia Travel — We organize tours to Central Asia for more than 25 years (centralasia-travels.com)

The architecture of the city is majestic, as evidenced by the Kalta-Minor minaret, which is the most iconic landmark of the city. The minaret was adorned with blue, green, and white majolica. Today, Kalta Minor is one of the most beautiful minarets in Central Asia.

The Kalta Minor, a 95ft unfinished minaret in Khiva, source: pinterest

Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa | IRCICA (islamicarchitecturalheritage.com)

The architectural wealth of the city of Khiva is notably inherited from the majestic history of the Khanate of Khiva, which holds a significant place in the history of the Uzbek state. The spiritual and cultural life of the Khanate of Khiva, as well as the education system, is evidenced by the majestic madrasas to visit. The madrasas played a crucial role in the system of religious and educational administration of the Khanate of Khiva in the 19th and early 20th centuries (Khusanov, 2022). According to Khusanov, “On the territory of the Khiva Khanate in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, there were 120 madrasas, 63 mosques, 1,636 mosques, more than 200 mausoleums of "saints," and 25,500 ulama (eshon, mullah, Akhun, mufti, etc.). According to data from 1909, there were 1,500 schools within the Khanate, operating under mosques, where 45 thousand students were enrolled”. The city holds special significance as the birthplace of the renowned scholar Al-Khwarizmi, considered the founder of algebra and algorithms, who discovered the numeral "0," and as the homeland of the famous scientist Al-Biruni, known for his contributions to astronomy, mathematics, and natural sciences (NTV.com.tr)[1].

            Visitors to Khiva, known as the jewel of the Khorezm region in western Uzbekistan, can't help but marvel at the well-preserved historical texture of the streets once traversed by merchants, artisans, and scholars. This ancient city, where earthy tones and red prevail, exudes a unique atmosphere and distinctive architecture compared to other cities in the country. Entwined with the past, this enchanting city takes those who wander through its labyrinthine stone and narrow streets on a profound journey into the depths of history. Khiva not only preserves its historical charm but also serves as a living testament to the cultural and scientific heritage of these influential figures. The city defies time and modernization.

In conclusion, the Uzbek government's decision to designate Khiva as the tourist capital of the Islamic world in 2024 is a fitting recognition of the city's rich history, well-preserved architecture, and cultural significance. With a heritage spanning over 2500 years, Khiva stands as an ancient oasis city along the historic Silk Road, its significance underscored by archaeological evidence dating back to the 6th century BC. Transforming into a major center of religion and science in the 9th-11th centuries, Khiva's architectural marvels, such as the Islam-Khoja complex and the iconic Kalta-Minor minaret, showcase the city's timeless charm. The historical wealth inherited from the Khanate of Khiva, as evidenced by numerous madrasas and mosques, adds a profound layer to the city's allure. As Khiva embraces its role as a living testament to cultural and scientific heritage, it invites visitors to wander through its labyrinthine streets, offering a captivating journey into the depths of history that defies the passage of time and the pressures of modernization.