Attractions of Khiva Ichan-Kala

The Islam-Khoja complex, which unites the madrasah and minaret of the same name, was built in 1910. The madrasah is dedicated to the Prime Minister of the Khiva ruler Asfandiyar - Islam Khoja. The buildings were built in the traditions of the XIV century. The 56-meter minaret is considered the tallest in Khiva. It can be seen from almost anywhere in the old town.
The first Juma mosque was built here in the 10th century. The modern Friday mosque was built at the end of the XVIII century. The building is unique in that it has neither portals nor domes. Inside the mosque there are 213 columns made of wood, which, as it were, support the ceiling. At the same time, 21 columns have been preserved since the X-XII centuries. And the oldest carved doors of this mosque were created in 1316.
The mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud is a sacred place for the people of Khiva. Pahlavan Mahmud, who lived in the XII-XIII centuries, was a hero. Coming from a family of artisans, he became famous for his exploits and became revered among ordinary people. After his death, people began to come to the grave. Later, a mosque and a khanaka Sufi monastery were built next to the mausoleum. Noble rulers were also buried here. In 1913, rooms for reciters of the holy book of the Koran and iwans (terraces) were built here. And today hundreds of believers are coming to the grave of Pahlavan Mahmud.
The Tash-Hovli Palace (Tash-Howli), which was the main palace of the rulers of Khiva, was built by Allakuli Khan in 1838. The building is decorated with frescoes, carvings and ganch. The palace had a living room of the khan, a separate half for wives, a guest courtyard (mekhmonkhona), a room for official ceremonies and reception of the people, a courtroom and rooms for servants.
The mausoleum of Said Allauddin is one of the few old buildings in Khiva. The tomb was built in the XIV century, and in 1825 large-scale restoration work was carried out here. Said Allauddin was a relative of the Prophet Muhammad and a famous preacher. Muslim pilgrims from different countries of the world began to come here almost immediately. The pilgrimage continues to this day.
In 1835, at the behest of Allakuli Khan, a madrasah was erected, which was named after the ruler. A religious educational institution was built near the Tash-hovli Palace. In addition to the two-story cells (hujr), there was a mosque, a library and a classroom. The facades of the buildings are lined with colored majolica. Today there are souvenir shops in the walls of the madrasah of Allakuli Khan.