The citadel Kunya-ark, Khiva
 According to historical evidence,
in 1686, Arang-khan began the construction of the
citadel Kunya-ark at the western gates of Ichan-kala.
The ark presented a complex multi-yard composition,
containing a house for khan, the members of his family,
and dignitaries. From the large numbers of constructions
of the ark only several buildings of the nineteenth
century and the beginning of the twentieth century
were preserved. They were the official reception hall
(kurinishkhana), a mosque, the mint, and a harem.
Previously, there were an arsenal, a powder-mill,
and an official building, warehouses, a kitchen, guardhouses,
a stable, and a parade area. Fortified gates led to
the citadel. A high-cogged wall separated the ark
from the neighborhood dwellings of Ichan-kala.
There was an outer yard, serving as a waiting room
for the khan's audiences. There were cannons in a
second yard. The officials of khan gathered in the
third yard, and only then the main door of the kurinishkhana
was visible. A felt yurta (nomad tent) was put up
for the khan's use. A narrow corridor led to the harem
and a staircase led to the Akshikh-bobo mount from
here. The two-layered aivan, which was practically
merged into the city wall, opened in the direction
of the city. This was a good place for an observation
post. From here one could see the panorama of the
whole city and the neighborhoods. They say that Khiva's
rulers liked to rest here on warm nights.
The Akshikh-bobo aivan has also been used for military
observation.
 The fortress constructions were closely compacted
together; their charm can be seen in the yards with
their splendid aivans. The high two-column aivan of
the kurinishkhana, where receptions were held, completely
is faced with majolica. In the eighteenth century
during the devastating invasion of the Iranian troops
many constructions of the citadel were destroyed,
and the kurinishkhana was damaged. At the beginning
of the nineteenth century Iltuzar-khan renewed it.
There was a throne-hall, khan's apartments, treasury,
and manuscript depository. The cold blue-white and
sky-blue patterns of the majolica plate contrast with
the red murals of the ceiling.
The Khiva masters arranged ornaments freely and picturesquely.
The interior of the throne-hall is decorated with
carved plaster. The throne was made of turned wood,
decorated with stamped silver. The local master Mukhammad
made it in 1816.
The building of the mint and an asymmetric mosque
with an aivan were built at the same time and comprise
a single complex. The famous Khiva masters Abdulla
Jin and Ibadulla did the majolica facing of the mosque.
The ceiling of the aivan is painted with elegant golden
patterns on the blue background.
There is a harem, built under Mukhammad Rahim-khan
II in the second half of the nineteenth century in
the northern part of the citadel. The pillars of the
aivans are covered with traditional carved ornaments.
Instead of complete majolica facing one can see separate
colored ceramic insertions. The walls are decorated
with simple plastering and colored brightly.
The Khiva aivans were unique with their elegant decoration.
Through skilful carving, stone carving, and decorative
ceramics the artists and architects of Khiva expressed
their notion of beauty.
Among the preserved architectural monuments is a bathhouse,
built in 1657 and devoted to Anush-khan. This is a
semi-underground, multi-chambered construction. The
system of cupolas covering the building is seen from
outside. From the lobby via a cloakroom one can get
into the main bathing hall, connected with the arched
passages, and into the rest houses, which are around
the hot-water pool. There is a reservoir with cold
water in the central hall. A system of under floor
canals through which hot air passes warms the bathhouse.
The efficient technology of the bathhouse, combined
with imaginative planning and with simple constructions
epitomizes the architecture of the municipal constructions
of Khiva.
In the eighteenth century the summer palace of the
Khiva khans, Chadra-hovli was built in the suburbs
of Khiva. The building consists of four stones. The
first of them represents an exclusive two-chamber
winter building where there was a stable and a warehouse.
The adobe staircase leads up to a second floor, consisting
of a dwelling and aivans facing the west and south.
The aivans create a view of the environs from the
three sides. As one ascends, the weight of the floor
and the thickness of the wall are reduced dynamically.
Three windows are placed vertically on the northern
facade.
The building was erected with adobe blocks, fluting
is seen on the facade and the interior is trimmed
by plaster. The only element of the decor on the aivans
is the carved wooden of the pillars. The Chadra-Khovli
is characterized by originality and simplicity.
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