Kunya-Ark: "Fortress in the fortress"

Kunya-ark - "fortress in the fortress" - the citadel of the Khiva khans. Construction of Kunya Ark began in 1686-1688. At the end of the XVIII century, Kunya Ark became a “city in the city” and was separated from Ichan Kala by a high wall. Once the fortress consisted of the Khan's office, a hall for receptions, a harem, a winter and summer mosque, a mint and utility rooms - stables, warehouses, workshops, etc. The existing Kunya-Ark complex was restored at the beginning of the XIX century. Only a few buildings remain from the once densely built-up territory of the Kunya Ark fortress: the eastern gate with a guard room; the cell of Ak-Sheikh-Bobo; the Kurinishkhona – a room for receiving and registering people; summer and winter mosques and a harem.

The cell of Ak-Sheikh-Bobo - the dwelling of Saint Ak-Sheikh-Bobo used to play the role of an observation tower, and gunpowder was stored here.

The building of Kurinishkhona was erected in 1804-1806. It is decorated with finely executed wooden columns, ornamental weaving of white and blue majolica.

Harem is located in the northern part of Kunya Ark. Today, only Khan’s aivan with turrets remained from its luxurious buildings. Aivan columns keep traces of unsurpassed Khiva carvings, and only fragments remain from the majolica wall cladding.

Madrasah Muhammad Amin Khan is the first building inside the Western Gate, which was built in 1851-1852. This is the largest madrasah of Khiva. It includes auditoriums, winter and summer mosques, and a library. The architecture is maintained in Uzbek national traditions. Bricks were mainly used to decorate the facade. Wood carving, which decorates the entrance doors, balconies and lattice windows of the madrasah, attracts the attention of tourists. On the outside is the Calta Minor Minaret, which was built in 1853-1855. If its construction was completed, it would be higher than the Kalyan minaret in Bukhara.