Khiva's cultural legacy: Puppetry, palaces and dance in Uzbekistan's ancient Silk Road city
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Khiva, a UNESCO-listed oasis on Uzbekistan's Silk Road, offers more than historic beauty. Within its ancient Ichan-Kala walls, traditions like puppetry and dance are still performed by local artists. Puppet shows, rooted in centuries of storytelling, remain a vital part of Khiva's cultural life.
The city is also home to architectural marvels, like the 19th-century Tosh Hovli Palace, once residence of the Khorezmian Khans. Khiva's heritage includes the birthplace of mathematician Al-Khwarizmi and the hypnotic Lazgi dance, now recognised by UNESCO. Often overshadowed by Samarkand and Bukhara, Khiva stands as a cultural treasure in its own right.
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Visit the Abbey of Santa Maria de Olearia, a remarkable religious complex carved directly into the coastal rock face. Inside are frescoed chapels and meditation spaces hewn directly from the cliff. Maiori's lemon groves represent not just agricultural activity but a cultural tradition that has shaped the landscape and economy of the Amalfi Coast for centuries. These terraced gardens, supported by stone walls built without mortar, are an extraordinary example of sustainable agriculture that maximises productivity while preserving the natural beauty of the steep coastal terrain.
