Travel to Khiva, Uzbekistan with Bob & Wilma

Khiva is like stepping back into the past to a world long gone. To a time when camel caravans came to unload and rest for the night. To a time when the Silk Road was the main through fare for trade goods between Asia and Europe.

It's a walled city said to have been laid out by Shem the son of the patriarch Noah of biblical fame. After being a museum city under the Soviets, it is now actively alive and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As most visitors enter by the West Gate (Ota Darvoza) they have before them the beautiful Kalta Minor (Short Minaret) covered in blue tile in geometric patterns.

Below it on either side of the street, are shops selling a variety of goods of which cold weather accouterments are plentiful.

The original palace (Kunya Ark) of Khiva's Khans still exists and besides a mosque, the mint, the stables, the armory, and the harem chambers the Throne Room with throne is still there.

Khiva has a number of beautiful tile covered mosques

but the most beautiful and impressive inside is the Juma Friday Mosque with its 213 uniquely carved wooden pillars some even dating from the 10th century.

Photos and story courtesy of Bob & Wilma.

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