Once an Empires Capital Now a Ghost City Between Turkey and Armenia - Ani 4K

Historic castles, grand palaces, and ancient churches, Russian-era architecture, and charming Turkish towns. Hello, I'm Adele, and welcome to my journey through Eastern Anatolia in Turkey. Ani, once the capital of a powerful Armenian kingdom, a city that rivaled Constantinople and Baghdad, home to more than 100,000 people. The legendary city of 1001 churches. Ani is located about an hour from Kars, right on the border between Armenia and Turkey. From 961 to 1045, it was the capital of the Baghratid Armenian kingdom, one of the strongest powers of the region. At its peak, Ani had around 100,000 residents, rivaling cities like Constantinople and Baghdad. It became known as the city of 1001 churches, with grand cathedrals, monasteries, and fortified walls. Ani's strategic location made it wealthy but also vulnerable. In the 11th century, it was captured by the Byzantines, then taken by the Seljuk Turks. In the 12th century, the Armenian Zakarian princes, under Georgian rule, rebuilt the city and restored its prosperity. But in 1236, the Mongols sacked Ani, and in 1319, a massive earthquake destroyed much of it. Today, its ruins stand on a windswept plateau, a powerful reminder of Armenia's medieval golden age. The Cathedral of Ani was built between 989 and 1001 under King Simbat II. It was designed by Trdat, the most famous Armenian architect of the Middle Ages, who later restored the Dome of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. The cathedral was the seat of the Armenian Catholicos for almost 50 years, and is considered a masterpiece of medieval architecture. Its pointed arches and grouped columns anticipated elements of Gothic style by centuries. The dome collapsed in the earthquake of 1319, and after the Seljuk conquest in 1064, the cathedral was briefly converted into a mosque called Fethiye, or Victory Mosque. Today, its ruins still dominate the site of Ani. Built in 1215, the Church of Saint Gregory of Tigranhonans stands as one of Ani's most intact monuments. It was financed by the wealthy merchant Tigranhonans during the Zakarian period. The church's walls are decorated with detailed carvings of animals, both real and imaginary. Most remarkable are the interior frescoes, which illustrate large sections of the walls. They depict the life of Christ and Saint Gregory the Illuminator, founder of the Armenian Church. These frescoes are unusual for Armenian churches, and are thought to have been painted by Georgian artists. The Church of the Redeemer was constructed shortly after 1035 by Prince Abulgarib Pelavi to preserve a fragment of the True Cross, obtained during a visit to Constantinople. Inscriptions state that Prince Abulgarib ordered nightly services to be held in the church until the Second Coming of Christ. A storm in 1955 destroyed the eastern part, leaving the building partially ruined, supported today by scaffolding. The Church of Saint Gregory of the Abugamir family was built in 1040, on the edge of a slope. According to inscriptions on its walls, the church was constructed by Abulgarib Pelavuni as a private chapel for family. A family mausoleum was added on the northern side. Thanks to its solid construction and limited historical damage, it remains one of the best-preserved churches in Ani. Across from the Church of Abugamir are rock-hewn caves, thought by some historians to predate Ani itself. Known as underground Ani, they were mainly used as tombs and prayer spaces. In the early 20th century, some caves were still inhabited. Constructed by Manuchir ibn Shabur of the Shaddadid dynasty between 1072 and 1086, the Mosque of Manuchir is named after its founder. The prayer hall survives only partially and was likely built in the 12th or 13th century. In 1906, the mosque was partially renovated to serve as a museum displaying archaeological finds. The Citadel of Ani, on a high hill in the south, features fortifications from the 7th century built by the Kamsarakan dynasty. At the summit lay the Bagratid Royal Palace, along with three churches and several additional buildings. The palace, measuring 3,500 to 4,000 square meters and once decorated with gilded frescoes, suffered fires and earthquakes and was eventually abandoned, leaving only ruins. The Church of the Holy Apostles was founded by the Palavuni family, with the earliest inscription dated 1031. Many inscriptions on the narthex walls date from the 13th and 14th centuries, recording secular affairs such as tax exemptions and trade duties. Only fragments remain, including a partially preserved southern narthex with finely crafted The Church of St. Gregory of Kingagic was completed between 1001 and 1005 under architect Tirdat. Its plan mirrored Zvartnot's cathedral with four apses and a circular gallery. Early structural issues led to reinforcement in 1013, but the church eventually collapsed. In the 13th century, homes were built on its ruins, reusing some of the original masonry. By the end of the 19th century, only a few walls could be seen, and the original location was largely forgotten. Ani was protected by city walls. King Sambat constructed the original walls. Three gates stood in the north, Lion Gate, Kars Gate, Divin Gate. The latter called the Chessboard Gate for its red and black stones. Ani remains a deserted city for over three centuries, enclosed within a militarized zone on the Armenian border. Earthquakes, vandalism, and uncontrolled excavations keep destroying its fragile heritage, even as it is recognized by UNESCO. If you enjoy this video, give it a thumbs up, leave a comment, and share your thoughts. See the other episodes to follow the full story, from the mysterious Devil's Castle, to the highest village on Mount Ararat, a warm visit with a Kurdish family, border views of Korvirap, the city of Kars, and the stunning Iskak Pasha Palace, the city of Van and Urartian heritage, the unique Armenian church on Akhtamar Island, the ancient city of Bitlis, and the monumental architecture of Erzurum.