Tash-Khovli: summer residence of Khiva khans

The palace of the ruler of Khiva Allakuli Khan - Tash Khovli - was built in the XIX century. Initially, it contained 163 rooms and 3 courtyards: harem, mehmonkhona (guest part) and arzhona (court hall).

It is known that the first harem was erected for the wives of the Khan. In the southern part of the courtyard of the harem, small aivans were built for the wives of the khan. The most ornate aivan served as a living room for the Khan. Each aivan harem is a masterpiece of Khiva applied art. Their walls, ceilings, columns are covered with non-repeating ornamental patterns. Majolica wall panels have a traditional blue-white-blue color, the ceilings are painted with red-brown paints. The windows are closed with copper openwork grilles.

Tash-Khovli Palace, Khiva Mehmonkhon - the square courtyard of the palace is built up around the perimeter with rooms and aivans. Ivan mehmonhonas are decorated with majolica and small towers on the sides. Arzhona (court hall) is located in the southwestern part of the palace. In the decorative decoration of the palace, the most complex ornamental motifs are used.

Artists introduce a blue background, which highlights the unifying all panel tapes, ornamented medallions and coils with poems. There's a great ganch carving. The walls are decorated with figure niches, and longer ones are divided into separate panels. Marble carving, copper openwork grilles - everything is subordinated to the desire to saturate the detail with relief, pattern, make art unsurpassed. Thanks to such exquisite architecture, complemented by rich decor, Tash Khovli Palace is a masterpiece of Khiva architecture of the XIX century.