23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Dusty dawn in Itchan Kala

Itchan Kala is the inner town (protected by brick walls some 10 m high) of the old Khiva oasis, in Uzbekistan, which was the last resting-place of caravans before crossing the desert to Iran. Although few very old monuments still remain, it is a coherent and well-preserved example of the Muslim architecture of Central Asia. There are several outstanding structures such as the Djuma Mosque, the mausoleums and the madrasas built at the beginning of the 19th century by Alla-Kulli-Khan.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Khiva, Uzbekistan
Camera: NIKON D5600
Copyright: © Ramon Rodolfo Asar