Ani, Turkey: "The City of 1,001 Churches"

The ghost city of Ani, also known as "The City of 1,001 Churches," is a medieval Armenian city, now located in Turkey. The site was completely abandoned roughly 300 years ago and has fallen into disrepair since. Despite its moniker, the city of Ani does not contain 1,001 churches, but it does contain the remains of numerous churches and other structures that have withstood many a war and change of hands over its roughly 1400-year history.

Ani first entered written history in the 600's AD. Back then, the city was simply a castle on an Armenian hill. In 971 AD, Ani became the capital of the Bagratid Kingdom. King Ashot III built impressive walls around the existing structures. Within a couple hundred years, Ani had earned its nickname. The landscape was dotted with several churches and the city was home to hundreds of priests more than 100,000 residents. The city's importance, wealth and architecture had grown exponentially.

During the 11th century, the Byzantines managed to take control of Ani after the people of the city surrendered to them. The Byzantines had attempted to take control by force and had twice failed, but the city was left without a ruler and so the people simply turned over control of Ani. It was just a few years before the Turks began their invasion of the Byzantine Empire and control of Ani changed hands once again. The Turks then handed over the city to Shaddadids. Control then went to the Georgians and by 1237, Ani was under the control of the Mongol Empire. It is amazing that so much of the original architecture exists, even in its current dilapidated state, after so many takeovers in Ani. This may be attributed to the fact that no one foreign empire maintained control of Ani for very long.

About 100 years after the Mongols took control of Ani, the Turks regained control of the city. As of this time, the population of the city was dwindling. A small population remained in Ani until about the 18th century. After that, the city was abandoned and remained so. After Ani was abandoned, many travelers visited the site who described and sometimes sketched the ruins that remained. It was not until 1892 that archaeologists began trying to rescue Ani from the disrepair and vegetation that had taken over the once magnificent City of 1,001 churches.

In 1918, all excavation and repair at Ani ceased due to World War I. Archaeologists left the area and some of the artifacts they uncovered were removed safely. During that time, the Armenian Genocide was ending and hostilities between the Ottoman Turks and the Armenians were rendering the future of Ani uncertain. Then, in 1921, control over Ani officially went to Turkey and has remained in Turkish hands ever since.

Unfortunately, little is being done to maintain the churches and structures of Ani. There is some archaeological excavation taking place, but it may be hurting more than helping. There is also the issue of explosions in a nearby Armenian quarry (Ani is on the border of Turkey and Armenia) and earthquakes. The Turks have destroyed many an Armenian church on what is now Turkish soil. It seems that they are simply allowing Mother Nature, poorly executed excavation and careless vandalism to do the destroying for them in the case of Ani.

Sources

The City of Ani: A Very Brief History, retrieved 3/8/11, virtualani.org/history/part1.htm