15/3/2025, Khiva, Uzbekistan – A man stands within the walls of Itchan Kala, the ancient citadel at the heart of the city. Over the past decades, Uzbekistan has carried out extensive conservation and restoration projects, starting in the 1960s under the Soviet Union and continuing after independence in 1991. These efforts have focused on the historic centers of Bukhara, Khiva, and Samarkand, all UNESCO World Heritage sites. Today, restored monuments, madrasas, and traditional homes blend seamlessly with daily life, giving the cities a vibrant, renewed appearance while preserving their rich cultural heritage.