Khiva - Minaret Turt Shaffaz

The Turt Shaffaz Minaret was built in 1855 at the entrance to the architectural complex of the same name in Khiva near the intersection of Allabergenov and Turt Shaffaz streets and is part of the development of the outer city of Dishan-Kala.

It is decorated with green “arches” and has four majolica belts. The arched openings are covered with panjara. The minaret was restored in 1996.

The dimensions of the Turt Shaffaz minaret in Khiva are 12 metres high and 2.5 metres in diameter at the base.

Khiva rightly bears the title of the city museum, as every visitor will surely find here interesting and historical monuments of the culture of the historical Muslim population, ancient architectural ensembles built here at different periods of the city’s formation.

According to ancient legend, the city of Khiva was built around a well dug by one of the descendants of the biblical Noah. According to legend, the water in this well was particularly pure and delicious. It still stands in the city and is one of the monuments of antiquity. Khiva was founded more than 2.5 centuries ago, after which it became one of the richest and most prosperous settlements of Khorezm. At the beginning of its development, the city was succeeded by various ruling dynasties, it was repeatedly conquered by warlike tribes, and at the beginning of the XIII century the troops of Genghis Khan destroyed almost the entire city.

In the middle of the XIII century, the city became the centre of the Khiva Khanate and the second period of development and prosperity, one of the most important and largest centres of Islam in the Orient. The city is rich in magnificent monuments, among which one can discover both secular and religious buildings.