AniTurkey

AniTurkey

Located in the Kars district of Turkey, close to the closed border with Armenia, is the abandoned medieval Armenian city of Ani .

It served as the capital of the Bagratid Armenian empire, which ruled over most of modern-day Armenia and eastern Turkey, from 961 to 1045. The famous city was frequently called the "City of 1,001 Churches," even though there were actually far fewer. Archaeologists and historians have so far excavated 20 chapels, 33 cave chapels, and 50 churches.Ani stood on several trade routes, and its numerous palaces, religious structures, and advanced fortifications set it apart from other modern Armenian kingdom cities. Its ribbed vaulting would not be seen in European cathedrals for at least another two centuries. One of its most notable structures was the Cathedral of Ani, which is linked to early examples of Gothic architecture and that academics contend influenced the great cathedrals of Europe in the early gothic and Romanesque styles. With a population of well over 100,000 at its peak, Ani was among the biggest cities in the world, however this sounds extremely optimistic considering its small size.Ani, which was famous for its beauty, was taken over by the Mongols in 1236. Ani was deserted by the 17th century after failing to recover from a major earthquake in 1319 and, more importantly, from the relocation of regional trade routes.For Armenians, ani is a well-known symbol of their national heritage, culture, and religion.Razmik Panossian claims that Ani is a source of pride because it is one of the most obvious and "tangible" reminders of Armenia's historical splendor.It was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016. The Ani Archaeological Site has changed from a site of violence and geopolitical instability to a hub for cultural tourism that might promote cross-cultural interaction and enhance historical comprehension after two decades of persistent international efforts.

The native volcanic basalt, which is a type of tufa stone, is used to build all of the buildings at Ani. It comes in a range of vivid colors, including rose-red, creamy yellow, and jet black, and is simple to carve. It's crucial to remember that every building in Ani has either sustained major structural damage or been totally demolished as a result of the attacks and natural calamities the city has experienced throughout the years. The following are the most significant monuments that have survived.In Armenia, Ani is one of the most common given names for women.

Poems and songs have been composed about Ani and its former splendor. The well-known poetry "Tesnem Anin u nor mernem" was written by Hovhannes Shiraz. Turkish-Armenian composer Cenk Taşkan adapted it into a song.Ani is the title of Ara Gevorgyan's folk instrumental music album from 1999.
Ani, a 2019 city-themed extrait de parfum made by Turkish niche perfume brand Nishane with perfumer Cecile Zarokian, has received favorable reviews from the fragrance community. One of the Ani chapels is included in the artwork that goes with the perfume.The ruins of the powerful Silk Road city of Ani sit abandoned on the plains rubbing up against Turkey's modern border with Armenia.
Once capital of the Armenian Kingdom, Ani's golden age came to an end in the 14th century after Mongol raids, earthquake destruction, and trade route tussling all played their part in the city's decline.
The beautiful red-brick buildings still crumbling away amid the steppe grass have a mesmerizing effect on all who visit.One of the main reasons people visit this ruined city is the incredible atmosphere of the place right on the border of Armenia. It feels almost like a ghost city or even an abandoned film set and makes for a really unique experience in Turkey.
 

By Admin

26 May 2025

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Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum

Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum

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The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque

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Pergamon

Pergamon

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Patara

Patara

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Mount Nemrut

Mount Nemrut

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