Kunya-Ark Citadel

Ko'hna Ark

The palace fortress of the Khans of Khiva, with an ornate audience hall, a summer mosque and a mint. The lookout on the walls is the best place to watch the sunset over the old town.

Kunya-Ark (meaning “Old Fortress”) sits on the north side of the West Gate. From the 17th century it was the palace of the Khans of Khiva, containing the khan's residence, audience hall, summer mosque, harem, armory, mint and prison, making it a “city within a city.” The highlight is the audience hall (Kurinish Khana), with tall wooden-columned open porches (iwan) and walls covered in exquisite blue and white majolica tiles. The khan once set up a felt yurt on the circular platform here to receive envoys. The blue-tiled walls and painted ceiling of the summer mosque are equally impressive. The mint displays coins from the khanate period and banknote-printing tools, including silk paper money. At the highest point of the walls stands the Ak Sheikh Bobo lookout. From the top you can see the entire inner town, Kalta Minor and the West Gate. It is widely regarded as the city's best sunset viewpoint (separate ticket required). Getting there: turn left after entering through the West Gate. Note: the lookout stairs are narrow, and crowds gather at sunset, so arrive 30 minutes early to claim a spot.

Kunya-Ark Citadel

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