Dishan-kala hospital

In the early 20th century, Dishan-kala witnessed the construction of a pioneering hospital, marking a significant step forward in the Khiva Khanate’s healthcare initiatives. Prior to its establishment, traditional healers known as ta-bibs provided medical care, but the hospital introduced modern healthcare practices under the supervision of professional doctors.

Stretching across several blocks within the Ichan-kala, Khiva’s historic inner town, the hospital was not only a medical facility but also a cultural statement. Renowned Khorezmian artist Abdulla Baltayev played a pivotal role in its construction and decoration. One of the most striking features is a majolica ribbon inscribed with «The Hospital of Cesarevich Alexey,» highlighting the Khanate’s diplomatic relations with Russia during that era.