Tash-Khauli Palace

The 'Stone Court' — palace of the Khans of Khiva built 1830–1838, with 163 rooms and the most ornate ceramic-tile courtyards in Central Asia.

Tash-Khauli (‘Stone Court’ in Uzbek) was the residence of Allakuli Khan and his successors, completed between 1830 and 1838 after a famously rushed construction during which the Khan reportedly executed several architects who failed to meet his deadlines. The complex contains 163 rooms organised around three courtyards: the public reception courtyard with a domed iwan for receiving foreign envoys, the harem courtyard for the Khan’s four wives and their attendants, and the banquet/court court. The harem walls and ceilings showcase what is widely considered the finest blue-and-white majolica tile work in Central Asia, with each wife’s apartments distinguished by subtly different floral panels. Tash-Khauli’s wood-carved columns, lacquered ceilings and intricate ganch (carved alabaster) panels make it one of the densest concentrations of decorative arts in any Silk Road site. EcoNomad’s combined Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan tours always include a guided visit to Tash-Khauli.