A Journey Through Time
Discover the stunning architecture and unique history of Ani, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Ani WallsThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Ani was a medieval Armenian city that flourished in the 10th and 11th centuries CE. It was located on a strategic trade route between Europe and Asia, and was a major center of commerce, culture and religion.
Inner CastleThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
The city was once home to a population of over 100,000 people, and it was known for its many churches, mosques and other architectural wonders.
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However, Ani was abandoned in the 14th century due to a combination of factors, including Mongol invasions, earthquakes, and the shifting of trade routes.
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Today, the Ani Ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination. They offer a glimpse into the rich history and culture of medieval Armenia.
Ani Ruins Aerial ViewThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Ani Ruins are located in the northeastern Turkish province of Kars, near the border with Armenia.
The city was founded in the 5th century AD, but it reached its peak in the 10th and 11th centuries, when it was the capital of the Bagratid Armenian kingdom.
Ani was a major center of trade, and it was also home to a thriving intellectual and cultural life.
Ani CathedralThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
The city was known for its many churches, mosques, and other architectural wonders.
Among the most important ruins at Ani is the cathedral, which was one of the largest churches in the world at the time.
Ebu'l Menucehr Camii ve Büyük KatedralThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
With the arrival of the Seljuks, Ani began to flourish with a new architectural style.
Seljuk mosques, masjids, tombs, cemeteries, baths, residences, shops, and workshops began to appear, forming the foundation of Anatolian Turkish architecture.
Eğribucak WallsThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
The ruins of Ani were rediscovered in the 19th century, and they have been the subject of archaeological research ever since.
Bridge of Silk RoadThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
The first excavations at Ani began in 1892, when the city was under Russian occupation. The excavations were led by Nikolai Marr, a linguist and a historian.
However, after the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923, excavations at Ani remained dormant for many years.
Tigran Honents ChurchThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
During the Republic period, the first systematic excavations at Ani by art historians were conducted by Professor Beyhan Karamağaralı between 1989 and 2005.
Svastika (Çarkıfelek) BurcuThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Now, the Ani excavations have been ongoing for 131 years, with intermittent interruptions.
Ani CathedralThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Visit this link to discover Ani's architecture with a 360° tour.
