.png_1920x1280 (83).png)
The Kalta Minor Minaret is a striking, unfinished minaret located in Khiva, Uzbekistan. Commissioned in 1851 by Muhammad Amin Khan, it was intended to be the tallest minaret in Central Asia but construction halted after the khan's death. Its distinctive turquoise tiles and unusually wide base make it a unique architectural landmark. Today, it stands as a symbol of Khiva's rich Islamic heritage and historical significance on the Silk Road.
The Kalta Minor Minaret is an iconic, unfinished minaret located in Khiva, Uzbekistan, known for its vivid glazed tilework and massive base.
Construction stopped after the death of Muhammad Amin Khan in 1855, leaving the minaret incomplete.
It stands about 29 meters (95 feet) tall, much shorter than its intended height of over 70 meters.
It was intended to serve as a towering symbol of Islamic architecture and to function as a call to prayer that could be heard throughout Khiva.
“Kalta Minor” translates to “Short Minaret” in Uzbek, referencing its stunted, unfinished appearance.