The madrasah of Amin-khan, Khiva, Uzbekistan, Central Asia Travel

In the middle of the nineteenth century Muhammad Amin-khan planned to build a very large ensemble on the western part of the city, including a madrasas and minaret. But the war with southern neighbors prevented him from completing the construction. The madrasah of Amin-khan is the biggest religious institution in Khiva, where up to 260 students can study at a time. Its architecture is peculiar to this type of construction. The composition of the building is symmetrical and consists of two stories; the plan is rectangular with a large single yard. The corners of the madrase are fixed with massive cylindrical towers (guldastas). The elbow-shaped entrance-hall is covered with a system of cupolas. There is a mosque and classrooms on the two sides of the entrance portal. Small portals are built on the sides of the yard. Hu-jras on the first floor consist of a dwelling and subsidiary rooms. The arched openings of the second floor form a game of light and shade on the fagade.
The main fagade is decorated by the traditional Khorezm majolica and carved door. The white and blue ribbons of epigraphies stand against the background of the polished brick facing. A library and an office of a Higher Religious Court functioned within.