Uzbekistan, Khiva: sightseeing (description, photo)

A unique city, which appeared more than 2500 years ago, Khiva (Uzbekistan) is striking with its history and sights. It is a city with an amazing atmosphere, ancient culture and unique appearance.

The appearance of the city

Where the city of Khiva (Uzbekistan) is located today, the first settlement, according to archaeological excavations, appeared as far back as 4-3 millennium BC, there was a camp of hunters and fishermen of Kalaminar culture. In the 2nd millennium, stationary accommodation of nomads and farmers was already located here. The cultivation of farmers mixed with the traditions of pastoralists who came from the South Urals, as a result, the early Amirabad early Bronze culture was formed. Since that time the settlers have succeeded each other, but the delta of the Amu Darya has never been empty. This territory was very well located on trade routes, and also had huge opportunities for cattle breeding and agriculture.

History of Khiva

Later legends say that the city of Khiva grew up in the center of the oasis, where a well with surprisingly tasty water was located. This well was allegedly dug by the son of Noah Sim. The first city, which was recorded in written sources, was called Haywak, then there were Horasmiya, Hvarezm and, finally, Khorezm. He survived the periods of prosperity and conquest, was the capital of a huge Khorezm state.

The city was first owned by the dynasty of the Afrigids, then the city was conquered by the Arabs and it became part of the Muslim state. Then the rulers succeeded one another: the dynasty of the Mamunides, Ghaznavids, Seljuks, Anushteginids. The city has too many virtues to not fight for it, so it was constantly sought to conquer different rulers.

In 1220 the city was destroyed by the army of Genghis Khan. But it is reborn very quickly and again becomes a lure. So, Tamerlane five times trying to take the city by storm, and in 1388 it finally succeeds. Later the city continues to pass from hand to hand. At the beginning of the 17th century Khiva became the spiritual center of the Muslim world, here it is built madrasahs. But the real flowering of the city is during the reign of the Uzbek dynasty of kungrats.

The 18th and 19th centuries became the time of construction and accumulation of wealth for the city. In 1873, as a result of the military operation, Khiva became part of the Russian Empire. Since that time, the city is part of the Turkmen province. The rapid development of the city begins, schools and hospitals are being built here. In 1919, the Red Army overthrows the existing khanate power and establishes a new order, the city is part of the Soviet Union. Since 1924, Khiva is part of the Uzbek SSR.

Importance for world culture

Uzbekistan, Khiva historically belong to the territory on which the ancient original culture was formed. Here lay the Great Silk Road, which was the center of civilization.

In the 8th and 9th centuries, these territories play an important economic and cultural role in the region. Khiva flourished at the end of the 18th and early 20th centuries, during the Khiva Khanate. Khiva at this time becomes a political and economic center, it accumulates great wealth, all this is reflected in the appearance of the city, in which unique structures are created.

To date, the city of Khiva (Uzbekistan), whose photo only in a small part conveys all its charm, is a historical and cultural monument listed in the list of objects protected by UNESCO. The city is divided into two parts: historical and modern. Within the boundaries of the Old Town there are many architectural monuments of beautiful preservation. Khiva is a kind of reserve of ancient oriental culture, here you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Asian city of the past and feel the spirit of the past.

Khiva today

In 1991, Uzbekistan, Khiva started a new life, independence came, but Turkmenistan's territorial claims appeared. Historically, the city belonged to the Turkmen Khanate, and today this country would like to regain this land.

Today Khiva is a large Uzbek city with a population of 60 thousand people, with well-developed service infrastructure. This is a very cozy city, it does not have high-rise buildings and large traffic, here the dimensional atmosphere of eastern cities remains. A large bazaar is the busiest place where people, like many centuries in a row, learn news, communicate, eat.

The weather in Khiva (Uzbekistan) is very comfortable, the sun shines 300 days a year, rains most often go in March and November. The hottest month is July, when the daytime temperature can reach 38 degrees. According to the level of comfortable weather, Khiva can compete with many resorts in the world. Today Khiva is a recognized center of tourism in Uzbekistan, all conditions for a pleasant and interesting holiday are created here. For all its historical preservation, the city has all the benefits of modern civilization. Cellular communication works smoothly here, all hotels provide Internet services, Khiva and other cities of the country are connected by good roads, there is an established and inexpensive public transport.

It should be noted that in general, Uzbekistan is a very calm and safe country, here almost zero crime rate, the biggest risk to which tourists are exposed is overstating the price when buying various goods. Here, as elsewhere in the East, sellers are ready for bargaining and therefore initially declare a high price for their goods.

What to see

Uzbekistan, Khiva are famous for their history and cultural monuments. The tourist will need a few days to inspect all the sights of the city. First of all, it is worthwhile to climb the tower of Ak-Sheikh-Bobo to see the city from the top and navigate in it. From the observation deck, a striking panorama of the city with its minarets, domes and fortress walls opens. Also worth exploring the walls and gates into the city, they are significant monuments of history, visit the palace of Tash-Huli, madrasah Alla-Kuli-khan and Amin-khan, the White Mosque. Special attention should be given to the fortress of Kunya-Ark, which preserved its appearance from the 17th century. In total, the city has 60 world-class attractions.

Architecture of the city

A beautiful country is Uzbekistan. Khiva, whose attractions are well preserved and unique, is no exception. Only here you can fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the ancient city and see the numerous architectural layers of different eras. The architecture of Khiva reflected the ancient Eastern traditions, with their unique sense of proportion, the ability to create monumental, majestic structures that shake with their interiors and mosaics.

The appearance of the city is formed by unique minarets, roofs of mosques and madrassas, they create a multi-stage composition of the city. Architectural view of the city was created in the 18-19 centuries, but in the canvas of the landscape organically fit and more ancient buildings. So, the mausoleum of Sheik Sayid Alauddin of the 14th century with a unique tomb, decorated with majolica, is a model of brutal Muslim architecture. In addition to temple structures and palaces, intricate residential quarters are perfectly preserved in Khiva, walks along these streets allow you to plunge into the depths of centuries and feel the atmosphere of the ancient eastern city.

Tash-Hauli Palace

Uzbekistan, the city of Khiva are rich in historical buildings, and the palace of Tash-Huli is one of the first places among them in importance and beauty. The palace is decorated with intricate ornaments of majolica, the interior of the harem is especially beautiful. The palace is an example of Khiva architecture, blue-blue walls, tiled, shady courtyards, intricate woodcarving and painting on the walls - all this creates a unique combination of luxury and coziness. This summer residence of the khan is a real masterpiece of Muslim architecture.

Monuments of Ichan-Kala

The old city of Khiva Ichan-Kala is a district that has preserved historical buildings, where the main sights are concentrated. In the walls of Ichan-Kala there is something to see, do not miss Friday's Juma mosque with 212 carved wooden columns of amazing beauty and grace, the Minaret of Kalta-Minor, faced with multi-colored brick, the highest Islamic-Khodja minaret. Special attention will be paid to madrassas, which are decorated with unique patterns made of bricks and tiles and preserve the spirit of the 18th century. The color of the medieval East still stores the luxurious caravan-saray Alla-Kuli-khan.

How to get there

For cognitive rest there is a great place - Khiva, Uzbekistan. How to get to this amazing place? There is no airport in the city, so tourists come most often from Urgench. There fly direct flights from many airports in Russia. You do not need a visa for Russian tourists, you can get to Khiva by taxi, which is very cheap here, or by bus. Urgench is located only 34 km from Khiva. In Uzbekistan, the service of tourists is well established, so you can easily buy a tour with a transfer from Urgench, Bukhara or Tashkent. There are tours to several cities of the Silk Road.

Things to do

Uzbekistan, Khiva in particular, provides a variety of opportunities for pastime. In the city there are a number of interesting museums, they include: a craft museum in which you can see products of blacksmiths, jewelers, potters, weavers and other skilled craftsmen; Museum of Applied Arts and Life, in which you can see household items of people of former times; Museum of the history of Khorezm, a unique collection of archaeological finds is collected here.

Arriving in Khiva, you should definitely try the national cuisine, especially as there are all conditions for this. There are many authentic food points in the city, where you can taste real Uzbek manti, samsa, pilaf, shurpa. Khiva has long been famous for its grapes, which was exported even in the times of Ancient Rome, it is also worth to try the Khivan melons, which have an indescribable taste.

Free time in Khiva can be devoted to the original shopping, here you can buy unusual local ceramics, national clothes, wood products, ornaments.