Minaret of the Juma Mosque
Minaret of the Juma Mosque in Khiva, Uzbekistan
The minaret of the Juma Mosque is located in Ichan Kala, the historic center of Khiva, next to one of the city's most unusual mosques. The current structure was built at the end of the 18th century, when the Juma Mosque itself was being restored. It is believed that an earlier minaret on this site collapsed back in the 17th century.
The minaret is built of brick and has a restrained appearance. With a height of about 32.5 meters and a base diameter of approximately 6.2 meters, it looks massive and austere, especially against the backdrop of Khiva's more decorative minarets. Its shaft gradually narrows upward, and the decoration is kept to a minimum: only narrow horizontal bands of turquoise brick are visible.
The upper section is crowned with a lantern featuring arched openings, a muqarnas cornice, and a dome. Inside, there is a spiral staircase leading to the upper platform. From here, there is a view of the dense historic development of Ichan Kala, which makes the minaret interesting not only as an architectural monument, but also as a point connected with the city's panorama.
For tourists, this place is important primarily as part of the ensemble of the Juma Mosque and as an example of Khivan religious architecture of the late 18th century. The minaret fits well into a route through the old city and helps visitors better understand how diverse Khiva's towers were in form and decoration.
Minaret of the Juma Mosque on the map
Khiva, Central Part of Itchan Kala: Buildings and structures
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The Minaret of the Juma Mosque and Its Place in Ichan Kala
An austere minaret beside one of Khiva's main mosques.
Austere brick silhouette beside the mosque's columned hall
The main feature of this minaret is its almost undecorated shaft, which noticeably differs from Khiva's brightly ornamented towers. This restraint makes the structure's proportions, brickwork, and narrow turquoise inserts especially noticeable. The minaret is best viewed together with the Juma Mosque itself, known for its large hall with wooden columns.
Inside, there is a spiral staircase of 81 steps. The ascent leads to the upper part of the minaret, from where you can see the roofs of Ichan Kala, the narrow streets of the old city, and neighboring monuments. Before visiting, it is worth checking whether access to the top is open, as visiting conditions may change.
A visit usually takes little time, but the site is convenient to include in a walk through Ichan Kala. Nearby are the Juma Mosque, madrasahs, the city walls, and other historic structures of old Khiva, all of which can be easily reached on foot within a few minutes.
The easiest way to get here is on foot through the territory of Ichan Kala, as the minaret is located in the center of Khiva's old city. After restoration carried out in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the structure retains its historic appearance and remains an important part of the architectural ensemble.
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