ICHAN-KALA Ichan-KalaThe historical complex Ichan-Kala (‘inner defense circle’) is an almost intact medieval old town area in Khiva. It was the first site in Central Asia to be included in UNESCO World Heritage List. Once you visit Ichan-Kala today, you know how almost all the medieval Oriental towns looked in the past. Ichan-Kala consists of over 400 traditional dwelling structures and about 60 architectural monuments. In 1969 Ichan-Kala was designated a historical and architectural conservation area. Ichan-Kala is a densely built-up old town. It has several times been destroyed and restored. They date the beginning of its construction to 1598. It was in this year when because of a change of Amudarya River course the capital of Khorezm was transferred from Gurgandj (Urgench) to Khiva. Ichan-Kala is encircled by a strong wall made from adobe bricks. It is 8-10 meters high, 5-6 meters thick. Its outside perimeter is 2,250 meters long. There are defensive towers standing at every 30 meters along the wall; the top of the wall is crenellated, with small embrasures used to shoot through in the past. Around the wall there was a moat; its remains can still be seen at the south