EnsemblesUnder 1 km awayUNESCO World Heritage
Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa
The largest madrasa in Khiva, built in the 1850s next to Kalta Minor, with a tiled portal and two storeys of cells around a wide courtyard.
Ota Darvoza (West Gate)
The west gate of Khiva's Itchan Kala, built in 1828–1829 under Allakuli Khan and the main way into the walled town, between the Kunya Ark and the Muhammad Amin Khan madrasa.
FortressesUNESCO World Heritage1828–1829About 15 minutes to see
About the place
Ota Darvoza, also called the Shermuhammad gate, is the western entrance to Itchan Kala and was in effect its main gate. Allakuli Khan built it in 1828–1829. Watchtowers stood on both sides of the passage, and inside were rooms for the gatekeeper, living quarters and a treasury where taxes were collected.
A covered bazaar with 13 rows of stalls once stood within the gate. As you walk in, the Muhammad Amin Khan madrasa is on your right and the khan's old palace, the Kunya Ark, on your left.
Why go
- The main entrance to Itchan Kala
- Built under Allakuli Khan in 1828–1829
- Between the Kunya Ark and the Muhammad Amin Khan madrasa
Sources (5)
Nearby
- Ensembles
FortressesUnder 1 km awayUNESCO World Heritage
Kunya-Ark
The khans' citadel inside Itchan Kala, with a tiled summer mosque, a reception hall, a former mint and a watchtower over the old town.
EnsemblesUnder 1 km awayUNESCO World Heritage
Kalta Minor
A broad, unfinished minaret covered from base to top in turquoise and blue glazed tiles, standing near the West Gate of Itchan Kala.
EnsemblesUnder 1 km away
Matniyaz Divanbegi Madrasa
A one-storey madrasa of 1871 in Khiva's Itchan Kala, built by the khan's finance minister and facing the Muhammad Amin Khan madrasa; now a restaurant.