MADRASAH AND MINARET ISLAM KHODJA

Khiva's tallest minaret (44.50 m) was built in 1910 by Isfandiar Khan's vizier, Islam Khodja. It is one of the last Islamic architectural achievements in Central Asia. The minaret had a triple role: religious (the muezzin calls for prayer), military (like Bukhara's Kalon minaret, it is an ideal observation post to prevent frequent attacks) and as a landmark to prevent people from getting lost in the desert or... in a meandering city.

Its slender shape and colorful rings taper towards the top. From a distance, it appears higher than the Kalon minaret, yet the latter towers almost 4 m above it. To have Khiva at your feet and a view of the surrounding desert, you'll need to catch your breath - the climb includes 120 steps!

The Islam Khodja madrasa, built in 1908, is a place of Islamic study. It comprises 42 cells and a large domed hall. The mirhab niche is decorated with earthenware tiles and finely chiselled gantch (gypsum). The vizier Islam Khodja was a reformer. He built a hospital and succeeded in having the telegraph installed in Khiva, but was assassinated when he tried to reform the educational system. Today, the madrasa houses the Museum of Applied Arts, where woodwork, carpets, wall hangings, etc. are on display

After the minaret, turn right into a street parallel to the main street, leading to the Pakhlavan Makhmoud mausoleum.