Uzbek National Holidays

UNESCO Sites in Uzbekistan: Itchan-Kala
Itchan Kala is the historical inner city of Khiva. Officially, the status of 
the “protected city” Old Khiva received in 1968. The fortress, palaces, mosques, 
madrasas, mausoleums and minarets, caravanserais and baths turned Itchan-Kala 
into a unique monument. The fortress town occupies an area of 26 hectares and is 
completely surrounded by a fortified wall of 2,200 m. There are 4 gates that 
overlook to all four sides of the world: Ata-darvaza, Tash-darvaza, Bakhcha-
darvaza, Palvan-darvaza. The first thing that impresses with its majesty in Khiva is 
the huge walls of Itchan-Kala, which have been well preserved to this day as a rare 
example of medieval fortifications. The fortress walls are made of mud blocks, and 
their height reaches up to 10 meters. The whole fortress gives an impression of 
inaccessibility and intimidating power. 
Ichan Kala with full confidence can be called an open-air museum. 
However, even in the 21
st
century, approximately 2,000 inhabitants still live in the 
town name in the northern and southern parts. The history of the city goes back 
centuries. The exact age of the city is difficult to determine even for scientists - it 

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was built over the centuries, and according to some studies, Itchan Kalan has an 
approximate age of 2500 years. In 1511, when Khiva was chosen as the capital, the 
Khiva Khans settled here and built a residence as well as madrasas and minarets. 
With the growth of population, a second city appeared - Dishan Kala, also 
surrounded by a fortress wall. Thus, the city initially had 2 protective rings, 
however, only the inner part of the wall of Itchan Kala preserved till our days. 
UNESCO Sites in Uzbekistan: Historic Center of Shakhrisyabz
Shahrisabz is one of the oldest cities in Uzbekistan, which is about 
2,700 years old. It is glorified as the hometown of the great commander Amir 
Temur, historically known as Tamerlane. The heyday of the city falls under the 
rule of Tamerlane and his successors (XIV-XV centuries). Due to its location on 
the Great Silk Road, Shakhrisabz was the cultural and political centre of the Kesh 
region. One of the unique architectural monuments of the city, testifying to the past 
glory of its founder, are the ruins of the palace of Tamerlane - Aksaray, the 
memorial complex DorutTilavat and the mosque KokGumbaz. Among other 
things, in the historic centre of Shakhrisabz are also concentrated ancient quarters, 
bearing evidence of the centuries-old history of this city. The historical centre of 
Shakhrisabz was included in the UNESCO list of tangible cultural heritage in 
2000.