Islam Khoja Minaret in Khiva

In the center of Ichan-Kala stands one of the tallest minarets in Uzbekistan. This is the minaret of Islam Khoja. The minaret is part of the same complex, which includes a madrasa and a mosque. The height of the minaret is 56.6 meters and it is the second largest in Central Asia. The first place in height is the Qutlug Temur minaret in Kunya Urgench (height 62 meters), and the third place is the Khasti Imam minaret in Tashkent (height 53 meters).

The construction of the minaret began in 1908 at the initiative of the chief minister of the Khiva khans Muhammad Rahim Khan and Asfandiyar Khan - Islam Khoja. The construction was attended by the best Central Asian architects of that time, among them Khudoybergan Haji and famous naqqoshi Eshmuhammad Khudoyberdiev and Bolta Voisov.

At the base, the diameter of the minaret is 9.5 meters, which is traditionally narrowed to the top. When you look at the minaret from below upwards, you can feel the grandeur of this structure. The top of the minaret is decorated with a lace cornice, illuminated by a small dome lamp above the preacher's room. The base of the minaret is made of burnt brick.  The brickwork is laid in combination with glazed bricks made of flour. The inside of the tower is a spiral staircase made of burnt brick. After going 175 steps down the stairs you can go to the main rotunda with the windows. From here there is an amazing view of the city.

Previously, the minaret was used as an observation post and to call Muslims to prayer (azan). Today, the functions of the minaret have not changed. Going up to the viewing platform, you can observe the fabulous sights of the city and hear the muezzin singing azan in prayer hours. The unique minaret of Islam Khoja is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Representative List.

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