Said Niyoz Sholikorboy mosque

Said Sholikorboy complex — an architectural monument in Khiva. The outer part of the historic city — built in the Dishan fortress. It includes a mosque, madrasa, minaret and 2 small courtyards. It is named in honor of the merchant Sholikorboy who built the complex. It was completed in 1842.

Location

The Said Sholikorboy complex is located in the outer part of Khiva — in the Dishan fortress, not far from the Polvan Gate city gate, but it is still listed as a historic Ichan fortress monument of the UNESCO World Heritage List.

History

The complex was built in Khiva during the rule of Olloqulixon, approximately in the years 1830–1842. The local merchant Said Niyoz Sholikorboy (sholikor — melon grower) who dealt in growing and selling melons was the founder of the complex. They called Said Niyoz Sholikor a melon cultivator, i.e., a dapmach. After his father, a wealthy merchant, died, all his wealth passed to his son Said Niyoz. He went to Iran and conducted trade. With the money he collected, he obtained permission from Olloqulixon and had the mosque built. Later he also erected a madrasa and a minaret next to the mosque.

The Said Sholikorboy mosque is the second large mosque in the city after the Juma mosque. The architectural requirements for the mosque construction were as follows: a covered space that could accommodate many people, and courtyards on the inner side where Muslims could cool themselves. The Said Sholikorboy mosque was built in this style.

Architecture

The complex (33.0 × 32.0 m) consists of 2 courtyards, a mosque, a madrasa, an iwan and a minaret. The mosque has a rectangular plan (24.4 × 21.2 m), height 12 m, 9 domes, a central dome supported by 4 columns with a ribbed vault, distinguished by a diameter of 4.8 m. The mosque is entered through an iwan with three sections and three doors. The columns in the iwan reflect the finest traditions of local wood carving. One column bears the date 1797. The iwan walls are decorated with plaster carving. The mosque is connected to the courtyard from the north, with the courtyard occupying half of the iwan. The madrasa (14.6 × 4.2 m) is irregularly arranged around a small courtyard east of the mosque and consists of several rooms. The eastern and northern wings are two‑storey; the first floor has a hallway, the second floor has windows. Between the madrasa and the mosque a minaret (diameter 4.5 m) was erected. The minaret is visible from everywhere in Khiva. A circular staircase inside leads to the top. Its body is richly decorated. The minaret reaches a height of 30 m. Under its summit a ribbed cornice is installed. The main balcony is adorned with a “bantak” style. It was renovated in 1983. The minaret is built of fired brick. Currently the minaret is slightly leaning, and scholars of the Khorezm Amun Academy are carrying out practical work to restore it to its original condition.

Each of the three columns of the iwan is exemplary decorated with wooden carving in the traditional Khiva architectural style.

Currently the Khiva Friday mosque is located in the complex.