page_title: Khiva
section_title: Sights
hierarchical_section_title: Khiva / Sights
caption_attribution_description: English: Panorama view of Khiva (Uzbekistan) Panoramaansicht von Chiwa (Usbekistan)
context_page_description: Khiva is a city of approximately 90,000 people located in Xorazm Region, Uzbekistan. According to archaeological data, the city was established around 1500 years ago. It is the former capital of Khwarezmia and the Khanate of Khiva. Itchan Kala in Khiva was the first site in Uzbekistan to be inscribed in the World Heritage List. The astronomer, historian and polymath, Al-Biruni was born in either Khiva or the nearby city of Kath.
context_section_description: Khiva is split into two parts. The outer town, called Dichan Kala, was formerly protected by a wall with 11 gates. The inner town, or Itchan Kala, is encircled by brick walls, whose foundations are believed to have been laid in the 10th century. Present-day crenellated walls date back to the late 17th century and attain the height of 10 meters.
  Kalta Minor, the large blue tower in the central city square, was supposed to be a minaret, but the Khan died and the succeeding Khan did not complete it.
  The old town retains more than 50 historic monuments and 250 old houses, mostly dating from the 18th or the 19th centuries. Djuma Mosque, for instance, was established in the 10th century and rebuilt in 1788–89, although its celebrated hypostyle hall still retains 112 columns taken from ancient structures.
caption: Panoramic view of Khiva (Uzbekistan)
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