Uch Avliye Bobo Complex
Khiva, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, the architecture of which fascinates the guests of the city. The historical part of Khiva – Shakhristan, a city located inside the city walls of Ichan Kala, has remained virtually untouched through the centuries.
The main palace of the Khiva khans of the XIX century, Tash-Khauli, is located within the walls of Ichan Kala, and next to it is the memorial complex of Uch Avliye Bobo.
The historical monument of Uch Avliye, which translates as “The Mausoleum of the Three Saints”, was built on the site of a suburban cemetery. Created several centuries ago, over time it began to go underground, however, timely excavations and restoration gave the mausoleum life. On the territory of the mausoleum and cemetery there are many graves from the XVI to XX centuries, and the oldest of them is dated 1561.
The Uch Avliye complex consists of a mausoleum and a mosque surrounded by aivans on columns. The mausoleum, like the mosque, is built of burnt brick, and is a unique architectural monument of Khiva. The entrance to the mausoleum is a wooden door painted with patterns, on which the date 1561 is written, which indicates the oldest burial, and next to it is engraved the name of the master who was engaged in painting – Abdullah ibn Said. The mausoleum building is represented by one large room in the shape of a square. However, the room is similar to an octagon, as there are arches in the corners of the walls, forming a cellular vault and a dome. The corners of the arches are decorated with a style characteristic for Central Asia, which is represented by stalactites (mukarnas). The uniqueness of the mausoleum is given by a complex mesh-star vault in one of the walls, which is called “Kolab-kari”, and according to legends, the best craftsmen from Bukhara were invited to Khiva to create it.
The wooden elements of the mausoleum are painted with elaborate carvings. The tombstones located inside the mausoleum are painted with a floral pattern and decorated with inscriptions made in white paint. In the center of the mausoleum room there is a large tombstone covered with a veil, and a bench for pilgrims is installed next to it.
To the left of the mausoleum there is a madrasah with aivans.
The mausoleum of Uch Avliye Bobo has been repaired several times. First in 1821-1822, then in the early 1980s, after the building was damaged by torrential rains, when the entrance to the mausoleum and the columns of the Aivan mosque were severely damaged.
To date, the mausoleum of Uch Avliye Bobo, as well as the entire historical complex of Ichan Kala, attracts many tourists from all over the world every day.