Itchan Kala Fortress Walls and Minarets in Khiva, Uzbekistan
The fortified walls of Itchan Kala rise before the historic minarets and turquoise domes of Khiva, Uzbekistan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the ancient Silk Road.
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The ancient city of Khiva stands as one of the most complete examples of a Central Asian oasis town along the historic Silk Road trade route.
Its Itchan Kala fortress, protected by massive mud-brick walls, shelters over 50 historic monuments including the distinctive Kalta Minor minaret with its cobalt-blue tilework.
Built between the 10th and 19th centuries, this desert citadel represents the enduring architectural legacy of Islamic Central Asia.
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