Khiva Friday Mosque, Islamic prayer site in Ichan-Kala, Uzbekistan
Khiva Friday Mosque is a large prayer building with over 200 wooden columns supporting the roof and creating a spacious prayer hall. The structure uses ceiling openings to bring natural light into the interior.
The original mosque on this site dates to the 10th century, but the building was completely reconstructed between 1778 and 1782. Local rulers sponsored the reconstruction to strengthen the city's religious role.
The wooden columns display traditional regional craftsmanship with intricate carved patterns from different time periods. Walking through the prayer hall, you can notice how the decorative styles vary from column to column.
The building has three separate entrances providing different ways to access the prayer hall. Visitors should be prepared for uneven floors and note that interior lighting varies depending on the time of day and weather.
Four wooden pillars actually date to the 10th and 11th centuries and were brought from the ancient city of Kath. These old columns are the oldest parts of the entire building and connect to the region's former trade routes.
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