Cathedral of Ani, Medieval cathedral ruins in Kars, Turkey.
The Cathedral of Ani is a church ruin within the abandoned city of Ani in Turkey, near the Armenian border. Four tall columns of volcanic stone support the interior, where the dome collapsed long ago and now opens the space to the surrounding landscape.
Construction began shortly before the year 1000 under the guidance of architect Trdat, known for his technical solutions. After the Seljuk conquest in the eleventh century, the building was converted into a mosque and later lost its religious function.
The church takes its name from the medieval city that once served as the capital of an Armenian kingdom. Visitors can still see Armenian inscriptions above the entrance that speak of its former religious importance.
The ruin lies within a larger archaeological site that requires several hours of exploration. Bringing water is advisable, as there are no facilities on site.
The building stands just a few meters from a gorge that marks the border with Armenia. Original medieval stone reliefs depicting biblical scenes remain on the outer walls.
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