Nurullabay Palace

Nurullaboy saroyi

The palace of Khiva's last khan in the outer town, built in the early 20th century. It blends Khwarezmian tradition with Russian and European style, and its interior features a chandelier and tiled fireplace gifted by the tsar.

Nurullabay Palace stands in Dishan Kala, the outer town just outside the north gate of Ichan Kala. It was built between 1906 and 1912 as the palace of Isfandiyar Khan, the last khan of Khiva, and it is named after Nurullabay, a wealthy merchant who once owned the land. The palace consists of several courtyards and reception halls. Its exterior follows Khwarezmian traditions of wooden-pillared porticoes and brick carving, but the interior shows clear influence from Russia and Europe. The reception halls are decorated with gilded plaster ornaments, European chandeliers, tiled European-style fireplaces and mirrors. Some of the gifts are said to have come from Tsar Nicholas II, and the palace even had rare electric lighting for its time, reflecting the close ties between the Khanate of Khiva and Russia in the early 20th century. Few visitors come here, so it is a good escape from the crowds inside Ichan Kala. Tickets are sold separately or included in some combined tickets, so check at the ticket office. The palace is a five-minute walk from the north gate of Ichan Kala. Some rooms are under restoration, so the open areas may change.

Nurullabay Palace

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