Kalta Minor Minaret
Kalta Minor Minaret
4.5
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Frances B
Yorkshire, UK2,488 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
The Kalta Minor minaret is one of the iconic buildings in Khiva. When I first saw it I was mesmerised by the colour of its tiles sparkling in the sunlight. It is very identifiable not only through its shape but also the vibrancy of the green and blue tiles used in its decoration. It is located close to the West Gate.
It is apparently unfinished but even in this ‘unfinished’ state, it does not distract from its beauty. It provides the opportunity for some wonderful photographs and should also be viewed at night when it is beautifully lit.
It is apparently unfinished but even in this ‘unfinished’ state, it does not distract from its beauty. It provides the opportunity for some wonderful photographs and should also be viewed at night when it is beautifully lit.
Written January 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
patdia
Sardinia, Italy2,440 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
One of the symbols of the city of Khiva is undoubtedly this splendid building characterized by a truncated cone shape and a bright predominant turquoise color like many historic buildings. It is actually an unfinished work because the intention of those who wanted to build it would be it was supposed to be a minaret so high as to allow a view as far as the city of Bukhara but in the mid-nineteenth century the sudden death of Mohamed Amin led to the interruption of the works and the minaret remained like this. But perhaps this is why he is so famous.
Written November 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John K
Frankfurt, Germany1,948 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
The famous Kalta Minaret has not been completed It is decorated with turquoise blue tiles and has a diameter of 14 meters at a height of 29 meters. It is architecturally part of Mohammad Aminxon Medrese. Supposedly the construction was stopped, as one could have looked into the courtyards of the Medresen from the Minaret.
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Written August 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bozeman-Dublin
Trim, Ireland11,334 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Incredible, monumental unfinished minaret tower. Incredible girth at its base and it would have been just incredible if completed.
Well, it's ibcredible anyway to be fair, with it's resplendent bright blue tiled exterior standing in the midst of all the adobe colours around it.
Imamazing sight at all times of the day, especially as the sun starts to set.
Breathtaking
Well, it's ibcredible anyway to be fair, with it's resplendent bright blue tiled exterior standing in the midst of all the adobe colours around it.
Imamazing sight at all times of the day, especially as the sun starts to set.
Breathtaking
Written May 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter S
Hillsborough, UK105 contributions
Nov 2019
I enjoyed the stories surrounding the fact that this minaret was never finished - was it the death of the khan who commisioned it, or was it because the builder had promised to build a bigger one in Bukhara and was thrown off the incomplete tower as punishment for his treachery? The building itself is gorgeous to look at, and almost symbolises the Disney-like aspects of Khiva
Written November 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
250ABR
Cottingham, UK217 contributions
Sep 2019
It is the first thing you see and will surely be the one thing you never forget from Khiva never finished but totally ornate
Written October 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pascale O
Paris, France134 contributions
Aug 2019
Very impressive minaret (by his perimeter and decorations). Khiva a great place to visit and to learn more about the central Asia.
Written September 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond W
Townsville, Australia4,533 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
This unfinished minaret is a quite unusual shape and is also unusual due to it being completely covered in tile work. Unfortunately the madrassa it is attached to is now a hotel, so the minaret is robbed of much of its context. However it remains a symbol of Khiva.
Written October 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kiransfootprints
Gurugram (Gurgaon), India306 contributions
Oct 2019
If there is one thing that is visible from many hotels near Ota Darvoza (West Gate), it is this beautiful imposing blue minaret.
At close quarters, one can see the intricate and imaginative designs made by simply fitting glazed tiles together.
Its subtle beauty cannot be appreciated in one go or over a short period. As one walks around Itchan Kala, Kalta Minor is visible nearly all the time.
At close quarters, one can see the intricate and imaginative designs made by simply fitting glazed tiles together.
Its subtle beauty cannot be appreciated in one go or over a short period. As one walks around Itchan Kala, Kalta Minor is visible nearly all the time.
Written October 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew M
7,589 contributions
Jul 2019
The Kalta Minor minaret is one of the first attractions seen when entering through the western gates of the old city. It is was commissioned by Muhammad Amin-Khan Madrasah, and is located in front of the madrasah which is dedicated to him. At 26 meters in height it is known as the "short"minaret, but we thought that it was higher than many of the minarets in the city which we had visited. It was meant to be over 70 meters tall and had a foundation depth of 15 meters. The base is 14.2 meters in diameter (the nearby Islom Hoja minaret, which is Khiva's tallest, has a base of 9.5 meters).
The minaret was built between 1852-1855. Construction ended when the Khan was killed in battle during the Khorasan military campaign. A blue band near to the top has white Persian writing, and we thought that the beautiful mix of green and blue tiles with white highlights was beautifully done. It is said to be the only minaret in Central Asia that is completely covered by tiles, but there were many places near to the bottom where blue tiles had fallen off and exposed clay brickwork.
Muhammad Amin-Khan was able to complete the nearby madrassah before his death, and this is still the largest madrassah in Central Asia with 25 cells with two rooms and balconies. The minaret can be accessed from the madrassah (hotel) by a narrow bridge.
The minaret was built between 1852-1855. Construction ended when the Khan was killed in battle during the Khorasan military campaign. A blue band near to the top has white Persian writing, and we thought that the beautiful mix of green and blue tiles with white highlights was beautifully done. It is said to be the only minaret in Central Asia that is completely covered by tiles, but there were many places near to the bottom where blue tiles had fallen off and exposed clay brickwork.
Muhammad Amin-Khan was able to complete the nearby madrassah before his death, and this is still the largest madrassah in Central Asia with 25 cells with two rooms and balconies. The minaret can be accessed from the madrassah (hotel) by a narrow bridge.
Written October 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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