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Destination: Uzbekistan
Last updated: 10 Jan 2017

Muhammad Amin-Khan Madrasah and Kalta-Minor, Khiva, Uzbekistan



The biggest medieval madrasah in Khiva, madrasah of Muhammad Amin-khan (1845-1855) is situated opposite to Kunya-Arkat Ata-darvaza gates. It is 78 m. long and 60 m. wide. The madrasah has 125 hudjras and could receive up to 260 pupils. Its portal is crowned with five domes and flanked by corner towers.

Muhammad Amin-Khan Madrasah and Kalta-Minor
Muhammad Amin-Khan Madrasah and Kalta-Minor


There is an interesting inscription saying: 'This perfect building will eternally stand gladdening other generations'. Hudjras on the second floor have loggias. Hence a distinctive feature of the madrasah - open arch niches along external perimeter of the building. Rich decor includes brick mosaics, majolica, ornamentally carved doors and ganch lattices (pandjara) on the windows. Kalta-Minor - 'Short minaret' stands close to Muhammad Amin-khan Madrasah. Its massive basis is 14.2 meters in diameter and the top platform was raised to 26 meters.

View of the Minaret
View of the Minaret


The minaret is covered with glazed tiles. It was expected to become the highest and biggest minaret in Central Asia, however, the construction was interrupted after Muhammad-Amin's death in 1855. Legends give better version. Having known about the construction of a grandiose minaret in Khiva Bukhara khan asked the architect to build a higher minaret in Bukhara, but the khan of Khiva got angry with that and ordered to throw the architect from the minaret. That stopped the construction.
Entrance to the Madrassah
Entrance to the Madrassah


Kalta Minor in winter
Kalta Minor in winter
Ak Mosque
Anush Khah's Bathhouses
Chadra Hauli
Complex of Seyid-Biy and Palvan-Kari Minaret
Djuma Mosque
Hazarasp
Ichan-Qala
Islam Khodja Ensemble
Kunya-Ark of Kurinysh-Khan
Madrasah of Arab-Khan and Muhammad-Amin-Inak
Madrasah of Khurdjum and Allakuli-Khan
Madrasah of Kutlug-Murad-Inak and Abdullah-Khan
Madrasah of Matniyaz Divan-Beghi
Madrasah of Muhammad Rahim Khan
Mausoleum of Seyid Ala Ad-Din
Minaret of Djuma Mosque
Necropolis of Khiva Khans
Old City
Pahlavan Mahmud Necropolis
Tash Hauli Harem
Tash Hauli Palace