Juma mosque: features of architecture

The official date of construction of the mosque is the end of the XVIII century. However, research reveals a more ancient date – the X century. The mosque was rebuilt at a later time with money donated by Khan Abdurakhman Mehtar, who was in power at the time.

Juma Mosque, Hiva Juma Mosque is unique in structure, it has no portals, domes, galleries and courtyard. The mosque has access from three sides. The ceiling of the large hall rests on 213 wooden columns. These columns were created in the XI-XV centuries and brought here from other ancient buildings. The columns captivate with their amazing ornamental carvings.

There are small holes in the ceiling for light and ventilation. The southern wall has stalactite niches, and on the right there is a marble plate indicating profits and estates. Of particular interest are doors and columns, with handmade carvings. But in 1598 Khiva became the capital of the Khiva Khanate, because the Amu Darya River changed its course, and destroyed the former capital of Kunya-Urgench. Khiva gradually became a small but well-fortified city, which also became the spiritual center of the Islamic world. However, the slave trade flourished in Khiva for a long time - Khiva raiders stole people into slavery from the regions of southern Russia and Persia. This led the Russian Empire to organize a military campaign in 1873 that ended the slave trade in Central Asia. However, as a consequence, the Khiva Khanate was included in the Turkestan General-Government.