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Itchan Kala

Itchan Kala is the ancient walled inner town of Khiva, Uzbekistan, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. Enclosed by 8–10 m high mud-brick walls forming a 650×400 m rectangle, it preserves over 50 historic monuments and around 250 traditional dwellings mainly dating from the 18th and 19th centuries . Among its iconic structures are the hypostyle Juma Mosque with 112–212 wooden columns, the unfinished but striking turquoise-tiled Kalta Minor Minaret, several ornate madrasahs, mausoleums, caravanserais, and the Kunya Ark (citadel). The urban ensemble presents a living open-air museum reflecting centuries of Central Asian Islamic architecture and Silk Road culture. 

Khiva, Uzbekistan
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People Also Ask
Question: What made Itchan Kala historically significant?
Answer:

It was the final oasis settlement on the Silk Road before caravans crossed the desert to Persia. Its thick defensive walls and nine gates provided security and allowed the city to thrive as a cultural and commercial hub.

Question: How old are its walls and buildings?
Answer:

While the site dates back over two millennia, most of the present walls were rebuilt in the late 17th century. The surviving mosques, madrasahs, and palaces mostly originated in the 18th–19th centuries. 

Question: Is Itchan Kala still inhabited today?
Answer:

Yes—around 300 families live within its walls, maintaining workshops and artisanal traditions. The old town remains active with bazaars, homes, and cultural life, blending living history with restoration.

Question: What experiences should a first-time visitor look for?
Answer:

Stroll the maze-like, narrow streets lined with glaze-tiled minarets and madrasa facades. Visit the bustling traditional bazaar, dine on rooftops, climb watchtowers at sunset, and soak in the architectural harmony of a centuries-old oasis city .