Ani Turkey Travel Guide

Ani Turkey is a UNESCO listed site in far Eastern Turkey. Set on a vast empty plain Ani was the capital of Armenia and once rivalled Constantinople in power and importance and was an important stop on the Silk Route.

Once called the city of 1000 churches Ani boasted many churches, palaces, and fortifications that were amongst the most technically and artistically advanced structures in the world.

Ani was sacked by the Mongols in 1236 and then devastated by an earthquake in 1319 from which it never recovered Ani was gradually abandoned and by the 17th century forgotten about.

Ani was re-discovered in the 19th century by travellers with descriptions of the site being published to the outside world.

In 1878 Ani became incorporated into the Russian Transcaucasian Region with excavation and exploration starting in 1892 sponsored by The St Petersburg Academy of Sciences.

During WWI many artefacts were saved by Armenian scientists before Ani was looted by advancing armies. In 1921 orders were given to ‘wipe Ani of the face of the earth” an order which fortunately was not followed.

During the cold war a permit was required to visit Ani as it sat on the Soviet – Turkish border.

Today the Turkish government has committed to rthe restoration of the site.