Polvon Gate

History and layout

The gate honours Khiva’s patron saint, Pahlavon Mahmud. An inscription reading “Shahri Khiva” on its inner side encodes the Hijri year 1221 (1806) in its letters, marking the oldest part of the structure; Allakuli Khan completed it in 1835. Beyond the arch a passage roofed by six domes runs west, with small shops set into its side bays.

Until 1873 a slave market operated just outside, runaway slaves and rebels awaited judgement in its niches, and the khan’s decrees were proclaimed here — hence its popular names, the Slaves’ Gate and the Executioner’s Gate.