About
The Islam Khoja Minaret stands in Itchan Kala, the walled old city of Khiva in the Khorezm Region of Uzbekistan. At 45 meters, it is the tallest minaret in Khiva, and it rises well above the mud-brick rooftops and domes around it. You may also see it written as Islam Khodja Minaret.
What the visit is like
This is a tower to climb rather than only to admire from the street. From its upper level, the view opens across the ancient city below and out toward the surrounding desert landscape, so the climb gives you a sense of how Khiva sits within its wider setting. Because the minaret is among the taller structures in the old town, it works well as a point from which to take in the layout of the streets, the rooftops and the open country beyond the walls.
Around the minaret
The minaret is in Itchan Kala itself, so a visit fits naturally into a walk through the old city. Plan to spend time wandering the lanes nearby, where the historic character of Khiva is most visible. The Khorezm Region as a whole is one of the older settled areas of Central Asia, and the city's old quarter is the best place to feel that history at close range.
Planning your visit
- Allow time for the climb and for pausing at the top to look out over the city.
- Combine the minaret with a stroll through Itchan Kala, which is compact enough to explore on foot.
- Bring comfortable shoes, as the old city's streets are uneven.
If you enjoy places where you can see a city from above and then walk straight back into its streets, the Islam Khoja Minaret is a worthwhile stop in Khiva.
