The Kalta Minor Minaret is an unfinished masterpiece of Khiva
The Kalta Minor Minaret is one of the most striking and recognizable sights of Khiva. This unique architectural monument immediately attracts attention with its impressive size and unusual appearance. Its name translates as "Short Minaret", because despite the grandiose plans, its construction was never completed.
The minaret began to be erected in the middle of the 19th century by order of Khan Muhammad Aminkhan of Khiva. According to the idea, it was supposed to be the tallest in the East – more than 70 meters! However, after the death of Khan, construction stopped, and the height of the minaret remained at 26 meters. Despite this, the Calta Minor is striking in its beauty and harmony.
The minaret is completely covered with tiles, creating an amazing pattern. Blue, turquoise and green shades of ceramics shimmer in the sun, making it a real decoration of Khiva. Unlike other minarets, the Kalta Minor has an unusual cylindrical shape - it does not taper upward, which makes it even more memorable.
Historians believe that the minaret was supposed not only to serve as a call to prayer, but also to become an observation tower. From its top, one could see the caravan routes leading to the city. However, fate decreed otherwise, and now the Calta Minor has become a symbol of greatness and incompleteness at the same time.
Today, the minaret is one of the most popular attractions in Khiva. It is located in the heart of the ancient Ichan-Kala fortress, next to the Muhammad Aminhana Madrasah, and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Guidebooks and postcards adorn his photos, and every tourist dreams of seeing this masterpiece of oriental architecture with his own eyes.
Our travel service will help you get to Khiva and conveniently travel around the ancient city. We offer comfortable transfers, guided tours with experienced guides and organization of tours in Uzbekistan. Regardless of whether you are interested in historical monuments or want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of oriental bazaars, we will choose a route that will make your trip unforgettable.
If you are planning a trip to Uzbekistan, be sure to include Khiva in your itinerary and enjoy the beauty of this architectural wonder. Kalta Minor is a place where history comes to life, and traditions and legends are intertwined with the beauty of oriental art. We will help you organize a convenient and comfortable tour so that you can enjoy your trip without worries!
, Address: Khiva, Uzbekistan
, Working hours: daily
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🕌 Kalta-Minor Minaret – The Unfinished Masterpiece of Khiva
📍 Kalta-Minor Minaret is one of the most striking and recognizable landmarks of Khiva. This unique architectural monument immediately captures attention with its impressive size and unusual appearance. Its name translates to "Short Minaret," as despite grand plans, its construction was never completed.
🏗 The minaret's construction began in the mid-19th century by order of Khiva's ruler, Muhammad Amin Khan. It was intended to be the tallest in the East – over 70 meters high! However, after the khan's death, construction stopped, and the minaret remained at its current height of 26 meters. Despite this, Kalta-Minor amazes visitors with its beauty and harmony.
🎨 The entire minaret is covered in exquisite glazed tiles, creating mesmerizing patterns. Shades of blue, turquoise, and green shimmer in the sunlight, making it one of Khiva’s most stunning landmarks. Unlike other minarets, Kalta-Minor has a unique cylindrical shape that does not taper at the top, making it even more distinctive.
📜 Historians believe that the minaret was meant to serve not only for calling to prayer but also as a watchtower. From its peak, one could have seen the caravan routes leading to the city. However, fate had other plans, and today Kalta-Minor stands as a symbol of both grandeur and incompleteness.
🌍 Today, the minaret is one of the most visited attractions in Khiva. Located in the heart of the ancient Ichan-Kala fortress, next to the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Its images decorate travel guides and postcards, and every visitor dreams of seeing this masterpiece of Eastern architecture in person.
🚗 Our travel company offers comfortable transfers and guided tours to make your trip to Khiva even more enjoyable. Whether you're passionate about historical landmarks or eager to experience the vibrant atmosphere of Uzbek bazaars, we can design a tour that perfectly suits your interests. Let us take care of all the details so you can fully enjoy your journey!
🎟 If you're planning a trip to Uzbekistan, be sure to include Khiva in your itinerary and admire this architectural wonder. Kalta-Minor is a place where history comes to life, and traditions and legends intertwine with the beauty of Eastern art. We are here to help you organize a stress-free and unforgettable tour!
📍 Address: Khiva, Uzbekistan
⏰ Opening hours: daily
It's a very beautiful place. The historical building and national attributes look great. There are many minarets, mosques, national cafes and restaurants. You can buy a national headdress - a chugirma.
The minaret is impressive. I had a question: why is it so thick, but it turned out that it was just unfinished... If it had been completed, it would have been more than 70 meters and the tallest. It's just not clear how they planned to hear the muezzin from such a height? Microphones and speakers hadn't been invented yet. The whole is tiled, it is beautiful, but restoration is very necessary.