Kunya-Ark Citadel from 1686, Khiva

Kunya-Ark Citadel from 1686, Khiva (Uzbekistan)

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.There was an outer yard serving as a waiting room for the khans audiences. There were cannons in a second yard.The Akshikh-bobo aivan has also been used for military observation.the yards with their splendid aivans.