|
Tash-Khauli Palace
In the first half
of the nineteenth century the palace
Tash-Khovli (stone country-estate)
was built in the eastern part of the
inner city. This complex of a
building with three yards has
rectangular plan, in the southern
part are the receiving yard,
Arz-Khovli, and a yard for
entertainment, Ishrat-Khovli.
|
The northern
part is occupied by a harem.
Labyrinths of corridors join the
yards and buildings. The
brothers and relatives of the
khan lived in the palace. The
two gates face the west and
south. All the constructions
were built from the high quality
bricks. The fencing walls of the
palace end up with figured cogs.
From the flatness of the wall,
the high well-portioned towers
stand out. Arz-khovli and
Ishrat-Khovli have an identical
plan. Around the southern part
of the square yards, high
single-pillar aivans are built
with main houses behind them. On
the other sides are the rooms
for guests with small aivans on
the second floor. Five excellent
aivans come one after another in
the harern. They are open to
meet the northern winds. Two
rooms were built behind the
aivans through a main majolica
entrance with a painted ceiling.
They are simply decorated
dwellings. |
All the elements
of architecture are efficient and
elegant. Outside facades are not
faced, but the walls of the yards
are separated into separate panels
and decorated with majolica of a
carpet pattern. The high aivans have
retained their decorative design.
The decorative pendant ceilings were
installed. Geometrical and plant
decorations on the carved marble
bases and wooden pillars, and
majolica slabs are replete with
epigraphic narratives about the
history of Khiva khans. The railings
on the second floor represent a set
of fences (panjar-as). The decorated
ceilings are of a golden-red color.
The facing of the interiors is
rather simple. Blooming trees in
restrained black and blue colors are
represented pictures quely on the
walls.
| The
Tash-Khovli yard is famous for
its thoughtful design.
Contrasting of open and closed
structures and the creative use
of light and shade has drawn
special comment. The original
synthesis of architecture and
monumental decorative art in the
creative work of the Khorezm
masters are vividly represented
by this palace. Trade has
flourished at the gates of
Pahla-van-darvaza throughout the
ages. Small street-stalls
selling food have always been
there, in the 1830s, by
Alla-Kuli-khan's order, a
caravanserai was built nearby,
and goods were brought here by
caravans from many countries.
The planning of the caravanserai
is simple and comfortable. It is
a symmetrical rectangular
building with a yard, on the
perimeter of which there are
two-story vaulted rooms.
Traditionally a portal separates
the exit and level of the yard
is lowered in the center, which
was comfortable for unloading of
beasts of burden. Merchants
stayed here and goods were kept
and traded here. Close to the
main facade, oriented to the
south, a covered bazaar (tim)
was built; now the tim and
caravanserai constitute one
area. The covered bazaar is a
multi-cupola composition
stretching along a west-east
axis. There is a hall in the
center leading to the
caravanserai. The trading is
conducted on the side stalls. In
earlier centuries one could buy
goods brought from China,
England and Bukhara Khanate.
|
 |
|