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Castles in Uzbekistan

12 landmarks in the Castle Map atlas — every one mapped with a photo and its story, 11 with sourced founding dates, ranked by Wikipedia coverage and real readership.

The most famous castle in Uzbekistan is Ark of Bukhara, ranked #523 of 9,079 in the world — followed by Ak-Saray Palace and Ayaz-Kala.

The Castle Map atlas charts 4 fortresses, 4 palaces & châteaux and 4 ruins in Uzbekistan. They span more than 22 centuries — from Ayaz-Kala (founded c. 350 BC) to Nurullabay's palace (1912). Every one is plotted with its photo and story on the interactive castle map of Uzbekistan.

Map of castles in Uzbekistan

On the map they cluster thickest around Khiva — 7 within a 100 km day trip. The northernmost is Ayaz-Kala, the southernmost Ak-Saray Palace — about 590 km apart.

Planning a visit? Day-trip guides: Castles near Khiva.

See them on the map →

When they were built

Of the 12 landmarks mapped in Uzbekistan, 11 carry a sourced founding date. Most were founded in the 19th century — 4 of them. 5 predate 1500 and 5 were built after 1700.

All 12 castles in Uzbekistan

Ark of Bukhara
Fortress · 5th century · #1 in Uzbekistan
The Ark of Bukhara is a massive fortress located in the city of Bukhara, Uzbekistan, that was initially built and occupied around the 5th century AD.
Ak-Saray Palace
Ruin · 14th century · #2 in Uzbekistan
Ak-Saray Palace is a ruined palace and historic site in Shahrisabz, Uzbekistan.
Ayaz-Kala
Ruin · 4th century BC · #3 in Uzbekistan
Ayaz-Kala is an archaeological site in Ellikqala District, Karakalpakstan, in northern Uzbekistan, built between the 4th century BCE and the 7th…
Palace of Grand Duke Nikolai Konstantinovich Romanov, Tashkent
Palace & château · 19th century · #4 in Uzbekistan
The Romanov Palace, located in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, was built in 1891 according to the design of architect V.S Geintselman and A.L. Benois for Grand…
Palace of Khudáyár Khán
Palace & château · 19th century · #5 in Uzbekistan
The Palace of Khudayar Khan, known as the Pearl of Kokand, was the palace of the last ruler of the Kokand Khanate, Khudayar Khan.
Nurullabay's palace
Palace & château · 20th century · #6 in Uzbekistan
Nurullabai Palace is an architectural monument in Khiva, Uzbekistan. It was formerly the official reception hall of Asfandiyar Khan.
Kyzyl-Kala
Fortress · 1st century · #7 in Uzbekistan
Kyzyl-Kala, also Qyzyl Qala, in modern Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, was an ancient fortress in Chorasmia built in the 1st-4th century CE.
Kunya-Ark (Khiva)
Fortress · 17th century · #8 in Uzbekistan
Konya Ark is the citadel in the Itchan Kala, the historic old town of Khiva in Uzbekistan.
Tash Hauli Palace
Palace & château · 19th century · #9 in Uzbekistan
The Toshhovli Palace or Tach Khaouli Palace,, is a palace located in Khiva in the fortified district of Itchan Kala, the whole of which has been a…
Kafir-kala
Ruin · #10 in Uzbekistan
Kafir-kala is an ancient fortress beside the Dargom river, 12 kilometers south of the city center of Samarkand in Uzbekistan, protecting the southern…
Akchakhan-Kala
Ruin · 3rd century BC · #11 in Uzbekistan
Akchakhan-Kala, or Akcha-khan Kala, also named after the locality Kazakly-Yatkan/ Kazakl'i-Yatkan, in modern Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, was an…
Ditchan Kala
Fortress · 19th century · #12 in Uzbekistan
The Dishan Kala is a part of the citadel of Khiva. It was built by Khiva khan Allahquli Khan in 1842 to protect Khiva from external attacks.

Frequently asked questions

How many castles are in Uzbekistan?

The Castle Map atlas maps 12 landmarks (4 fortresses · 4 palaces & châteaux · 4 ruins) in Uzbekistan — a curated selection of well-documented landmarks from Wikidata, not a count of every fortification ever built.

What is the most famous castle in Uzbekistan?

Ark of Bukhara, ranked #523 of 9,079 worldwide in the atlas's fame ranking, founded in the 5th century.

What is the oldest castle in Uzbekistan?

The oldest dated landmark in the atlas in Uzbekistan is Ayaz-Kala, founded c. 350 BC. Earlier structures may have existed — this is the oldest with a documented founding year.

Where are most of the castles in Uzbekistan?

They cluster thickest around Khiva — 7 of the atlas's landmarks within 100 km.

Which castles in Uzbekistan are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

Per Wikidata, 1 of the mapped landmarks holds a UNESCO World Heritage designation — inscribed in its own right or as part of an inscribed ensemble: Kunya-Ark (Khiva).