Kalta Minor Minaret

Kalta Minor

A stout minaret covered entirely in blue and green glazed tiles. It was meant to be the tallest in Central Asia, but construction halted halfway after the khan died, leaving Khiva with its iconic “Short Minaret.”

Kalta Minor (meaning “Short Minaret”) stands just inside the West Gate, next to the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa. In 1851, Muhammad Amin Khan ordered the construction of a minaret about 70–80 m tall, visible from Bukhara and intended to be the tallest in Central Asia. But in 1855 the khan was killed in battle, and work stopped at roughly 29 m; it was never resumed. The base is about 14 m in diameter. The entire shaft is decorated from bottom to top with blue, green and white glazed tiles and majolica, arranged in horizontal bands and geometric patterns that sparkle in sunlight. It is the only minaret in Central Asia covered entirely in glazed tiles, and it has become Khiva's most popular photo landmark. The interior is closed to visitors, so you can only admire it from outside. Viewing is free, as it sits at the boundary of the combined-ticket area. Getting there: enter through the West Gate, and it's a one-minute walk. Note: the square in front of the tower is crowded during the day. To photograph it without people, arrive between 7 and 8 a.m.

Kalta Minor Minaret

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