Islam-Khoja Complex

One of the most notable buildings of the ancient part of Khiva is the minaret and madrasah, which are part of the Islam Khoja building complex. The complex resembles the architecture of the XI–XIV century, although it was built just over a century ago, at the end of the first decade of the XX century. According to the architect's clever thought, the attractiveness of the buildings creates an unprecedented contrast: the most elevated minaret of the city is located next to a miniature madrasah. Thus, the minaret, thanks to the visual juxtaposition effect, seems simply gigantic. It served as a landmark for travelers approaching the city, initially this architectural landmark was assigned the role of a kind of lighthouse.

The medieval standard of architecture can be traced in the structure of the minaret. The lower part is wide, the top of the tower is noticeably narrower. The complex is named after Islam Khoja, the chief vizier of Khiva, with whose donations and care all the buildings were erected. The vizier was a confidant of Muhammad Rahim Khan II, who ruled just before the construction was completed. Being a progressive politician, the high dignitary strengthened relations with powerful Russia as much as he could, and repeatedly visited the Imperial capital. Under the patronage of Islam-Khoja, the first secular school, post office, and telegraph office were opened in his hometown. He also took care of the health of his subjects, building a pharmacy and a hospital, and the quality of Uzbek cotton — a cotton gin factory was established here when he was a high dignitary. Envious people schemed a lot against Islam-Khoja, encouraging the khan to disgrace the vizier and claiming that his activities undermined the authority of the ruler. It all ended in an assassination attempt, on the way to the suburban possessions of Islam-Khoja was met by the conspirators, the wounds inflicted turned out to be fatal. The memory of this outstanding man is immortalized in the name of a magnificent complex of buildings erected by his order.

The final decoration of the minaret was carried out by skilled artists Ishmuhamed Khudaiberdiev, Khudaibergen Khoja, as well as Bolt Vaizov. Rahim Khan's son, Isfandiyar Khan, who followed him to rule, set a super-task for the best craftsmen of Khiva: to surpass in splendor another pearl of the East — the Bukhara Kalyan minaret. The 56.6-meter-high structure, with a diameter of about 9.5 meters at the base, actually turned out to be taller than its competitor, while not losing its slimness and airy lightness in the perception of eyewitnesses. Majolica of sky-blue, delicate turquoise, snow-white, and intense blue colors form patterns that horizontally encircle the tower, not inferior in brightness to the sunny sky of Khiva. Decorations add nobility to the brickwork, visually additionally increase the height of the structure.

You can explore the city from a site located at a height of forty-five meters. The highest point of Khiva offers a view of all its attractions, the total number of which exceeds 60. The top of the minaret is equipped in Central Asian traditions with a cornice and a dome, under which there are gancha lattices. Hence, the muezzin herald calls for prayer.

The madrasah is much smaller, asymmetrical in plan, and the main entrance is located directly next to the minaret. The interiors are represented by a fairly spacious hall under the central dome, forty-two hujras (cells) around the perimeter of the courtyard. A mosque adjoins the central building from the southeast. The dome of the building is low, massive, a mihrab (a niche pointing towards Mecca) and the entire interior is decorated with majolica and ornate patterned ganache. The exterior of the madrasah at the entrance is decorated in the same style as the neighboring majestic minaret. The gate superstructure forms the second floor.

The Islam-Khoji architectural complex is the most beautiful pearl of Uzbekistan in the very center of Khiva, all its buildings are in amazing harmony with the surrounding landscape, perfectly combined with the oldest buildings of the city.