Home Turkey Ani - City of 1001 Churches
The City of 1001 Churches
Ani, an ancient and ruined Armenian city, was the capital of Armenia thousand years ago. During the reign of the Bagratid Dynasty from the 9th to the 12th centuries, Ani acquired fame as being a Christian metropolis abounding with prestigious monuments. The once crowded streets and marketplaces of Ani, which was once one of the biggest cities of its time are now empty. Only the magnificent ruins of beautiful churches and city walls remind of its past glory and splendor.
City walls from inside the city
City walls
A mosque in the background stands in a village outside the city
The Mosque of Abu'l Muamran
Fragments of a minaret that fell in 1890
The Mosque of Abu'l Muamran
Pieces of the fallen minaret
The Cathedral of Ani
Built in 10th century this is the largest building of the city. The cathedral is of world historical and architectural importance. The dome is missing - it collapsed in 1319 earthquake.
The Cathedral of Ani
Main entrance
The Cathedral of Ani
Armenian inscriptions
The Cathedral of Ani
Armenian inscriptions
The Cathedral of Ani
Interior arches
The Cathedral of Ani
Arches supporting the roof
The Cathedral of Ani
The altar
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