Kunya-Ark of Kurinysh-Khan, Khiva, Uzbekistan

Kunya-Ark ('Old fortress') is the inner citadel of Ichan-Qala. It was founded in the 17th century by Muharnmad-Erenk khan (1687-1688). By the end of the 18th Kunya-Ark had formed 'city inside the city' separated by a high wall. There were khan's mosque, residence, supremecourt, waiting room (kurinysh-khan), powder magazine, arsenal, mint, registry, harem, kitchens, stables, guardhouse and others. The original building of khan's kurinysh-khana (waiting room), constructed by Muharnmad-Erenk was destroyed in the middle of 18th century when Iranian troops invaded the khanate. Today's constructions were built between 1804 and 1806 by lltezer-khan (1804-1806).

Kunya-Ark of Kurinysh-Khan

The southern part of the kurinysh-khana is occupied by a throne room with two-column aivan. In the center of the room there was a yurt before which the khan was sitting during official receptions. Khan's throne was put into a niche on the southern wall. Khan's treasury and storehouse of manuscripts were placed in the western part of the kurinysh-khana. Doors of the throne room were decorated with carved ganch and ceiling - with multicolored painting. Aivan in the room is covered with magnificent blue-white majolica. Stone base of one of its columns keeps verses of Khorezm historian and poet Ogahi.

Fortifications

Kunya Ark from outside the Ichan Kala