ANKARA, May 8. /Dunyo IA/. Turkish researcher and Professor Süleyman Doğan, who visited ancient Khorezm for scientific research purposes, shared his impressions in the article “A Letter from Khiva”, published in the Oksaroy Hofizasi magazine, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

In his article, the scholar describes Khiva as a unique open-air museum city with a history of more than 2,700 years, which has preserved its authenticity in the very heart of the Great Silk Road. The professor notes the striking harmony between ancient monuments and modern infrastructure, emphasizing that new structures are built taking into account the height and style of historical buildings, without disturbing the overall architectural ensemble.

In his notes, the author pays special attention to Ichan-Kala, the inner city included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Walking among the majestic monuments, Süleyman Doğan recalls the names of Khorezm's great geniuses, such as Al-Khwarizmi, Zamakhshari, and Ogahi, and reminds readers that it was on this land that the Mamun Academy, the first Academy of Sciences in Central Asia was established.

The researcher describes architectural gems such as the Kalta-Minor minaret, the Juma Mosque with its 218 carved columns, the 56-meter Islam-Khoja minaret, as well as the Tash-Khovli and Nurullabay palaces.

The professor draws upon the historical accounts of the Hungarian orientalist Arminius Vambery, who visited the region in the 19^th century, and supplements them with his own observations on the development of education in the area. According to his data, at the beginning of the 20^th century, there were more than 1,500 schools and madrasas here, which served not only as educational institutions but also as scientific centers. The scholar was sincerely surprised by the presence of a specialized women's mosque in Khiva, which he called a vivid testament to the special attitude toward religious and social matters.

Summarizing his impressions, Süleyman Doğan admits that even after four visits, Khiva remains an inexhaustible source of mysteries and cultural wealth for him, concluding his message with sincere poetic lines about the magical allure of this ancient city.