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Khiva
Khiva is known as a museum city under the open sky. It existed as a town for about 900 years, but developed into the settlement seen today only in the 19th century, when it was the last oasis on the northern Russian slave trade rout. Important spiritual and cultural values came form the large scientific centers of astronomy, mathematics, and medicine that existed in this area centuries ago. One can wander through the narrow streets of Khiva, peeking into the small courtyards through the wooden carved doors. The life inside the gardens assures the visitor that it is not just a museum, but also a living city. Historical monuments include Kunya Ark or "old citadel", the beautiful Kalta Minor minaret and the extraordinary Tash Khauli or "stone" palace, built in the 1830''s by ruling khans. |
