Kalta Minor Minaret

Kalta-Minor is a short, yet extremely gorgeous minaret stands in front of the facade of the Muhammad Amin-Khan Madrassah in Khiva. The minaret and Muhammad Amin-Khan Madrassah were aimed to finish the design of the big square next to the western gates of Ichan Kala. Kalta-Minor was once expected to become the largest and highest minaret in Central Asia. 

Its extensive base is 14,2 m in diameter but the construction was suspended at a height of 29 m upon the death of Muhammad-Amin-Khan in 1855, following a battle with the Turkmen. The name Kalta minor means “Short minaret” and is quite obvious due to its unfinished appearance. Nevertheless, Kalta-minor is a great looking and unique minaret as it is completely covered with greenish glazed tiles and majolica and is one of the most recognized buildings of Ichan Kala, Khiva and even of all Uzbekistan. It is also located in a very center location of the Khiva old town, just next to the main alley and the most used western gate and can be seen from many locations inside and outside the walled city. The entrance to the Kalta minor minaret is unfortunately not always available.