Located 35 km southwest of Urgench, Khiva is a unique curiosity not to be missed on a trip to Uzbekistan. Nicknamed the "museum city," it transports you back in time through its remarkably well-preserved historic center. As part of UNESCO World Heritage, visiting this legendary city that time seems to have forgotten will make your stay an unprecedented and unique experience.

History

Khiva is a city whose history stretches back more than 2,500 years. Legend has it that it was founded by Shem (one of the sons of the biblical figure Noah), who dug the Keivah well there. Its geographical location at the edge of the Karakum Desert prompted its inhabitants to develop a complex irrigation system by harnessing the waters of the Amu Darya river. For caravans, this city was also the last stop before crossing the Iranian desert.

In the 4th century AD, Khiva belonged to the Persian kingdom of Khorezm. Then, in 712, it was conquered by the Arabs, who shaped the city through their distinctive architecture. A few years later, precisely in 783, the city witnessed the birth of Al-Khwarizmi. To many, this name may ring no bells, yet he was one of the greatest mathematicians of all time. We owe him the word "Algebra," derived from one of his works, as well as the use of Arabic numerals.

In 1211, Khiva was among the cities destroyed by Genghis Khan and his hordes during the Mongol invasion. In 1379, it fell under the rule of Tamerlane along with all of Khorezm. It was not until 1512 that the city was recaptured by the Uzbeks, who at the same time founded the Khanates of Khorezm and Bukhara. From 1512 to 1740, it served as the capital of the Khanate of Khiva, until it became a Russian protectorate in 1873. It would take until the 19th century for it to regain its independence. From that era onward, the construction of the grand monuments that are the city's pride took place.

Today

The city, or more precisely, the citadel of Khiva (indeed, it is surrounded by a rammed-earth rampart of rectangular form) is one of the most visited destinations in Uzbekistan. It is divided between the new city (Dichan-Kala) and the old city (Itchan-Kala). The latter is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list. A genuine open-air museum, Khiva gives the impression of traveling through time with its architecture upon which the years seem to have no effect.

While the city's landscape impresses by day, it is even more magnificent at night. Indeed, admiring the moonlight reflections and electric lighting on the domes is a spectacle that would truly be a shame to miss.

Here are some of Khiva's most beautiful monuments:

· The Juma Mosque, with its 212 carved wooden columns

• The Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah

· The Kalta-Minor minaret

• The Mausoleum of Said Alauddin
• The Tash-Khauli Palace
• The Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud

When to Visit?

Khiva enjoys a continental climate marked by a sharp contrast between rigorous but relatively dry winters and hot, even scorching summers. The best time to visit falls between April and August, when average temperatures hover around 27°C.

The simplest way to reach Khiva is to take a flight from Tashkent to Urgench Airport. Then from Urgench, take a taxi to Khiva, which is 35 km away. It is also possible to reach Khiva by train from Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand; however, the journey takes considerable time (approximately 20 hours).