Khiva’s Kalta Minor and a Handful of Balloons

Our journey through Uzbekistan started in Khiva, and we were genuinely impressed by this ancient Silk Road city. Surrounded by thick mudbrick walls and filled with minarets, madrasas, and open squares, Khiva is one of the best-preserved historic cities in Central Asia.

This photo shows a small but striking detail: a man selling balloons near the base of the Kalta Minor Minaret. The bright colors of the balloons contrast with the patterned turquoise tiles behind him—a mix of everyday life and historical architecture.

The Kalta Minor, or "Short Minaret," was commissioned in 1851 by Muhammad Amin Khan, who planned it to be the tallest minaret in Central Asia. Construction stopped when he died in 1855, and the tower was never completed. Today, its wide, tiled base is one of Khiva's most recognizable landmarks—proof that even unfinished projects can leave a lasting mark.