Attractions of Khiva Ichan-Kala

Security in Khiva

Khiva is a quiet city. It is safest in the historical part, but it is also relatively quiet outside of it. There are a lot of police in the city who keep order. At the same time, do not forget about simple safety rules and do not leave personal belongings unattended.

Attractions of Bukhara

Abdullazizkhan Madrasah, Bukhara

Opposite Ulugbek Madrasah there is Abdullazizkhan Madrasah. Abdullazizkhan built it in 1651 – 1652 and it is the last large Madrasah in Bukhara. The building is typical by composition, with four-ayvans yard, but with unordinary divergent fan of hudj groups after side ayvans and cupola buildings on the central axis.
It is very interesting the improvement of living lodgings, which consisted of entrance hall and hudjra, and were equipped with free-places, attic storeys, wall niches for bed clothes, dishes, decorated in conformity with the taste of inhabitants, who rented these apartments during their study.Away from Poi-Kalyan ensemble we can see trade arcades, belonging to the end of 16 century Taki-Telpak Phurushon and Taki Sarraphon.
Head-dresses were sold in Taki-Telpak Phurushon : skull-caps embroidered with beads, brocade and silk, fur-fox hats, turbans. Currency transactions were accomplished under Taki Sarraphon dome, shroffs mediates in international trade affairs.
The cupolas are inimitable in their architecture and constructions. The most expressive of them is Taki Sarraphon with cruciform passage through central hall and apartments behind its beveled corners: in one room there was mosque, in another – the entrance into old Saraphon baths, in other two ones – usurer stores. Constructive basis is four massive crossing archs, you can see inside and outside.
Bolo-Khauz Complex is the only preserved monument on the Registan Square. It is located on the opposite site of Ark - the Emir's fortress. The complex consists of the reservoir, Friday mosque and minaret.
The most ancient part of the complex is the pond (Khauz), which is called as Bolo-Khauz ("Children's reservoir"). It is one of several ponds in Bukhara, that reached our days. In past these reservoirs were the water source for the population and unfortunately the source of many deseases. Therefore most of them were drained.
Bolo-Khauz Mosque was built in 1712 by order of Emir's wife. The other legend says that Emir Shakhmurad (1785-1800) built it for public prayers, because he liked to be among common people. A wooden ceiling of ayvan (traditional verandah), which leans on refined columns, is abundantly decorated with fretwork and ornamented with floral and geometrical ornamental patterns. A short minaret was built in 1917 by Shirin Muradov, a famous master of Bukhara.