Minaret of Kalta Minor
28 reviews
February 2
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
See original · Русский
November 13, 2024
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.
See original · Русский
1
March 7
The iconic architectural object in the Ichan Kala fortress differs from other minarets by its small height and large diameter. In addition to its unusual shape, it has a peculiar outer lining in the form of multicolored circles.
See original · Русский
November 4, 2024
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.
See original · Русский
2
November 18, 2024
One of the most famous of the towers in Khiva is the unfinished short Tower (also called by the names of the Blue Tower or the remaining tower of the chalice). The tower began to be built in 1853 by Mukhammad Amin Khan (next to the madrasa of the same name), and construction was interrupted by the assassination of Khan and the coronation of Abdullah Khan during the 1855 March to northern Iran. Within the people, various narratives and legends are spread in this regard.
Emishki orders the Khan of Khiva to build a huge and high tower in the city “let Bukharoi azim kurinib from its top”. Upon learning of this, the Emir of Bukhara agrees with the master of the tower and plans to build a similar tower in Bukhara, promising that he will give a lot of gold in return. Learning of this, Khiva Khan orders the master to be thrown out of the tower after the tower is finished. Khan does not want such a tower to be repeated elsewhere. There is a legend and legend that the lower-working Masters, knowing this, report the upper to the Senior Master, who, in the case of him, told him to find the necessary equipment, made himself a wing and flew away or fell hanging on a rope.
The tower is now in The Shape of a cross cone. It also looks fantastic right now. Depending on the dynamic shrinkage, bitkani was about 100 meters long and could have been the largest and tallest tower in the world. The tallest tower is now the pole tower in Delhi, with a height of 72.5 meters and a diameter of 2.5 meters at the top of 15.5 meters.
The diameter below the tower of Muhammad Amin Khan is 14.5 meters, the height is 29 meters, the depth of the foundation is 15 meters.
See original · O‘zbek
November 24, 2024
The cool city of Khiva, beautiful sights, it's also cool that you can see the sights in 3d!
See original · Русский
September 21, 2024
The place is beautiful in every way. It was successfully highlighted in the evening. Traders, who are in clouds all over Khiva, are not intrusive, this pleases. Otherwise, they would have been distracting.
See original · Русский
3
October 5, 2023
The old town of Khiva is very good. The Kalta Minor minaret stands out. He is beautiful at any time of the day or night. It is located near the observation deck, so you just can't pass by
See original · Русский
2
December 4, 2022
An impressive structure! It looks great especially in the evening. Like the whole of Khiva, surrounded by fortress walls. It's an amazing feeling of being in a medieval city, very atmospheric
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3
May 11, 2023
The minaret will tell you about the history of Muhammad Khan, according to whose idea it was to become the tallest in the capital of Khorezm. That is why its base is so different from others in its diameter. For stability, it will go 15 m deep. However, Khan's death stopped its construction at an altitude of 29 m. Decorated with glazed tiles and majolica, it wonderfully fits into the ensemble of ancient buildings. While in Khiva, you will repeatedly return to the minaret, marveling at its uniqueness.
See original · Русский
3
November 13, 2024
The stunning view is very beautiful✨
See original · Русский
May 9, 2024
Just a cannon, I'm impressed. It's just a cool place, seeing such a place, I thought are there any places more beautiful than this🥰✨️
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1
November 16, 2024
The most ancient and historical place
See original · Русский
April 13, 2023
A magnificent structure. It is very beautiful and solemn. With the evening illumination, it becomes golden and delicate.
See original · Русский
4
May 5, 2023
The most beautiful and memorable minaret that we have seen in Uzbekistan. It is sad that it was not built in full. Guides love to tell his story.
See original · Русский
2
November 20, 2024
The most beautiful place
See original · Русский
May 7, 2022
A very beautiful historical minaret, one of the attractions of Khiva. It looks great on a bright sunny day and at sunset. Unfortunately, I didn't figure out how to get inside
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3
December 9, 2022
Calta Minor is considered the pride of our city.
This minaret still surprises our guests from all over the world with its unique construction
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3
November 22, 2024
Very chroly
See original · O‘zbek
October 17, 2022
The whole monument of antiquity is hung with clothes and souvenirs. The market could be organized nearby
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1
1
November 18, 2024
Nicely
See original · Русский
November 19, 2024
Beautiful
See original · O‘zbek
June 3, 2023
We were there at 5 a.m. The best time for a leisurely tour)
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1
October 27, 2022
It is very beautiful and impressive. Especially at night with lights on.
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1
October 15, 2022
A beautiful minaret, it's a pity that it wasn't completed at that time, the tallest building would have been in Asia, as the guides told me
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2
October 11, 2023
Very beautiful
See original · Русский
November 2, 2023
Great
See original · Русский
May 16, 2023
A place of power
See original · Русский
2