Georgian Church

!!!!!!!! Time stood still and saved forever !!!

One of the must-see places

There are two Georgian temples. This is the capital of Armenia. Which was often preserved by Georgian kings

Having been home to many civilizations for centuries and witnessing many wars, Ani was once an important center of the region. Also known as “1001 Church City”, 40 churches, chapels and monumental tombs have been identified to date. 48 kilometers away from Kars, Turkey-Armenia border on the edge of the city near the river Arpaçay, during the Armenian Bagratuni dynasty was a major center of power and culture. The efforts to make Ani Ruins, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List, are now on the permanent list. The city, which has witnessed countless earthquakes and wars, has been standing up with excavation and restoration work since 2011. The once magnificent city of Kars: Ani In the interior of the walls surrounding Ani, it is possible to see many ruins from the Bagratuni Armenians to the Byzantines, from the Seljuks to the Georgians and the Ottomans. Surrounding Ani and defending the walls of the Bagratuni dynasty, it witnessed bloody clashes between Bagratuni and Byzantine, then between Byzantine and Seljuk. Having hosted many civilizations throughout history, Ani carries examples of Georgian and Seljuk architecture along with outstanding examples of Armenian architecture. The fact that it was built on the Silk Road made Ani one of the rich cities of its period and increased its importance. The once magnificent city of Kars: Ani It was heavily damaged in the earthquake in 1319, then it was captured and destroyed by Timur. However, it is understood that there was a population in the city until it was completely abandoned in the 1535 Ottoman-Iran war. The region, which was captured by the Russians in the Ottoman-Russian war of 1877-78, was taken back by the Ottomans after the First World War. However, the Ani plateau later fell into the hands of the newly established Republic of Armenia. In 1920, Ani was last changed hands once again during the War of Independence and was included in the Republic of Turkey. The once magnificent city of Kars: Ani The population, which covers an area of ​​78 hectares and is surrounded by a city wall for 4500 meters, is estimated to have exceeded 100,000 during the 2nd Smpat (977-989) and son Gagik (989-1020) period. Even though the roof of Ani Cathedral, made of red stones, collapsed in an earthquake in 1319 and another corner in a later earthquake, it remains monumental even today. The once magnificent city of Kars: Ani The church, which was completed in 1001 during the reign of the Armenian king in the 1st Gagik, witnessed the period when Ani was at its peak in terms of population and wealth. The Armenian architect of this church, Trdat, later repaired the dome of Hagia Sophia during the Byzantine period. The once magnificent city of Kars: Ani Another church in the region is considered as an indicator of the artistic skills of the Armenian Bagratuni dynasty. The ruins of the church, which was once an architectural wonder with its 19 arches and domes and made of local red brown volcanic basalt stone, are standing today with the help of a pier. It is said that this church also contains a small part of the cross where Jesus was stretched. The once magnificent city of Kars: Ani St. Gregor Church, founded in the late 10th century, is still magnificent with its 12-sided chapel and dome. The mausoleum in the church in the early 1900s is thought to belong to Prince Grigor Pahlavuni, one of the Armenians of Bagratuni. But, like other things in Ani, this tomb was looted in the 1990s. The once magnificent city of Kars: Ani Opposite this church are caves carved into the rocks. Some historians say that these date back before Ani. There are traces indicating that these caves were used as tombs and churches in the Ani period, and people lived in these caves in the early 20th century. The once magnificent city of Kars: Ani Another church here is Surp Kirkor Church. Built in 1215, the church is decorated with Jesus and Enlightening Grigor frescoes. Experts state that detailed frescoes were not found in the Armenian art of the period, so Georgian painters probably made the frescoes in the church.