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91-649: Stone mullions were used in Armenian , Saxon and Islamic architecture prior to the 10th century. They became a common and fashionable architectural feature across Europe in Romanesque architecture , with paired windows divided by a mullion, set beneath a single arch. The same structural form was used for open arcades as well as windows, and is found in galleries and cloisters. In Gothic architecture , windows became larger and arrangements of multiple mullions and openings were used, both for structure and ornament. This

182-435: A sash into smaller glass "panes" or "lights". A mullion acts as a structural member, in most applications the mullion transfers wind loads and weight of the glazing and upper levels into the structure below. In a curtain wall screen, however, the mullions only support the weight of the transoms, glass and any opening vents. Also in the case of a curtain wall screen the weight of glazing can be supported from above (providing

273-732: A stereoscopic image of Ani in the second half of the 19th century. In 1878, the Ottoman Empire's Kars region—including Ani—was incorporated into the Russian Empire 's Transcaucasian region. In 1892 the first archaeological excavations were conducted at Ani, sponsored by the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences and supervised by the Georgian archaeologist and orientalist Nicholas Marr (1864–1934). Marr's excavations at Ani resumed in 1904 and continued yearly until 1917. Large sectors of

364-520: A Turkish military zone on Turkey's decaying closed border with the modern Republic of Armenia . Ani's recent history has been one of continuous and always increasing destruction. Neglect, earthquakes, cultural cleansing , vandalism, quarrying, amateurish restorations and excavations – all these and more have taken a heavy toll on Ani's monuments. In the estimation of the Landmarks Foundation (a non-profit organization established for

455-432: A business center called "New Yerevan". Armenia has a rich tradition of vernacular architecture, which varies by region. Out of them the most noticeable surviving examples are the following: The tumultuous past of Armenia over the last millennium has resulted in the formation of an extensive Armenian diaspora in various corners of the globe. Armenian communities seeking to keep the traditions of their homeland, influenced

546-479: A circular ambulatory). The date of its construction is not known, but the earliest dated inscription on its walls is from 1031. It was founded by the Pahlavuni family and was used by the archbishops of Ani (many of whom belonged to that dynasty). It has a plan of a type called an inscribed quatrefoil with corner chambers . Only fragments remain of the church, but a narthex with spectacular stonework, built against

637-507: A column to inter column ratio of 1/3 (1 is the primary number of the universe and 3 is the holiest of all numbers as it represents the Greco-Roman triad Jupiter , Juno and Minerva ). Aside from being aesthetically beautiful, Garni's design can be seen as being a reaffirmation of the universal laws that governed man's destiny. The angles, number of columns, and dimensions were created with a careful eye; Armenian pagans wanted to appease

728-591: A conciliatory policy towards the city's overwhelmingly Armenian and Christian population and married several members of the Bagratid nobility. Whenever the Shaddadid governance became too intolerant, however, the population would appeal to the Christian Kingdom of Georgia for help. The Georgians captured Ani five times between 1124 and 1209: in 1124 , 1161 , 1174 , 1199 . The first three times, it

819-422: A core against which thin slabs of tuff are arranged in brickwork fashion. As the wet mortar mixture dries it forms a strong concrete-like mass sealed together with the tuff around it and, due to tuff's properties, it becomes harder with time. Initially, almost no core was used in the construction of churches, stone blocks were simply sealed together, but as architects saw how those with mortar cores withstood tremors,

910-635: A denominational meaning and would have designated all those in Ani who professed the Chalcedonian faith, mostly Armenians . Although the Georgian Church controlled this church, its congregation would have mostly been Armenians. The mosque is named after its presumed founder, Manuchihr , the first member of the Shaddadid dynasty that ruled Ani after 1072. The oldest surviving part of the mosque

1001-630: A huge stage of development during the 19th century, when the Russians entered Eastern Armenia . A number of architectural masterpieces were built in the Kumayri historic district of Alexandropol and Yerevan, as well in Kars , which is now a part of the Republic of Turkey . The Armenian buildings of that time were mainly made of black tuff , therefore those buildings were mainly of black color. One of

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1092-514: A population of well over 100,000, though this seems highly optimistic given its limited area. Renowned for its splendor, Ani was sacked by the Mongols in 1236. Ani never recovered from a devastating 1319 earthquake and, more significantly, from the shifting of regional trade routes, and was abandoned by the 17th century. Ani is a widely recognized cultural, religious, and national heritage symbol for Armenians. According to Razmik Panossian , Ani

1183-530: A result of Anti-Armenianism , relics of Armenia's past such as churches, cemeteries and khachkars in neighboring countries have been subject to devastation. In certain cases such as in Turkey or Azerbaijan, this had been as a result of national campaigns to eradicate traces of the Armenian people to thwart any potential claims by the Armenian state. The largest collection in the world was formerly to be found at

1274-473: A small chapel that are from a slightly later period. The exterior of the church is spectacularly decorated. Ornate stone carvings of real and imaginary animals fill the spandrels between blind arcade that runs around all four sides of the church. The interior contains an important and unique series of frescoes cycles that depict two main themes. In the eastern third of the church is depicted the Life of Saint Gregory

1365-514: A striped or checkerboard pattern. Powder made out of ground stone of the same type was often applied along the joints of the tuff slabs to give buildings a seamless look. Unlike the Romans or Syrians who were building at the same time, Armenians never used wood or brick when building large structures. Armenian architecture employs a form of concrete to produce sturdy buildings,. It is a mixture of lime mortar, broken tuff, and rocks around which forms

1456-435: A wide panorama of medieval architectural development thanks to the presence at the site of almost all the architectural types that emerged in the region in the course of six centuries from 7th to 13th centuries AD". This is due to the cities "military, religious, and civil buildings". UNESCO states that Ani "is also considered a rare settlement", this is because many different styles of Armenian churches can be seen throughout

1547-509: Is a list of World Heritage Sites designed or constructed by Iranians, or designed and constructed in the style of Armenian architecture: Examples of Armenian religious architecture [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Ani Ani ( Armenian : Անի ; ‹See Tfd› Greek : Ἄνιον , translit.   Ánion ; Latin : Abnicum ) is a ruined medieval Armenian city now situated in Turkey 's province of Kars , next to

1638-455: Is a potential model for the improvement of the contemporary international relations in the region, starting from the involvement of the international community in the efforts to preserve this exceptional multi-cultural archaeological site." All the structures at Ani are constructed using the local volcanic basalt, a sort of tufa stone. It is easily carved and comes in a variety of vibrant colors, from creamy yellow, to rose-red, to jet black. It

1729-482: Is also used between windows. I. M. Pei used all-glass mullions in his design of JFK Airport's Terminal 6 ( National Airlines Sundrome ), unprecedented at the time. Mullions are vertical elements and are often confused with transoms , which lie horizontally. In US parlance, the word is also confused with the " muntin " ("glazing bar" in the UK) which is the precise word for the very small strips of wood or metal that divide

1820-592: Is granted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Yerevan for free and takes one week. According to The Economist , Armenians have "accused the Turks of neglecting the place in a spirit of chauvinism. The Turks retort that Ani's remains have been shaken by blasts from a quarry on the Armenian side of the border." Another commentator said: Ani is now a ghost city, uninhabited for over three centuries and marooned inside

1911-536: Is important to note that throughout the attacks and natural disasters Ani has faced throughout the years, all of the buildings have at least significant structural damages, or have otherwise been completely destroyed. The most important surviving monuments are as follows. Also known as Surp Asdvadzadzin (the Church of the Holy Mother of God), its construction was started in the year 989, under King Smbat II . Work

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2002-584: Is its still intact minaret . It has the Arabic word Bismillah ("In the name of God") in Kufic lettering high on its northern face. The prayer hall, half of which survives, dates from a later period (the 12th or 13th century). In 1906 the mosque was partially repaired in order for it to house a public museum containing objects found during Nicholas Marr's excavations. Restoration of the mosque started in June 2020. At

2093-479: Is linked by railroad with many important Turkish cities and is also considered to be an important military site due to its positioning near Turkey's border with Armenia. Ani is about 400 m (1,300 ft) from the Turkey-Armenia border. Across the border is the Armenian village of Kharkov, part of Shirak Province . Armenian chroniclers such as Yeghishe and Ghazar Parpetsi first mentioned Ani in

2184-540: Is one of the most visible and ‘tangible’ symbols of past Armenian greatness and hence a source of pride. In 2016, it was added onto the UNESCO World Heritage List . After two decades of continuous international efforts, Ani Archaeological Site has transformed from a seat of conflict and geopolitical instability to a center of cultural tourism that might  foster cultural exchange and deepening historical understanding. The city took its name from

2275-669: Is particularly the case in Gothic cathedrals and churches where stained glass was set in lead and ferramenta between the stone mullions. Mullioned windows of a simpler form continued to be used into the Renaissance and various Revival styles . Italian windows with a single mullion, dividing the window into two equal elements are said to be biforate, or to parallel the Italian bifore windows. Mullions may be made of any material, but wood and aluminium are most common, although glass

2366-573: The Arabs near the end of the 9th century after being controlled by the Persians and Umayyad Arabs for many years at this point. The king of Bagratid Armenia that led to this independence was Ashot I . He had a short-lived position as the king of the Bagratid dynasty, however, the impact of securing the freedom of the dynasty would last for many years. His son, Smbat I , ruled directly after he did. The Bagratid dynasty consisted of many sub-kingdoms,

2457-610: The Arabs , as well as smaller nations in southern Russia and Central Asia. In 1064, a large Seljuk army under Alp Arslan attacked Ani; after a siege of 25 days, they captured the city and slaughtered its population. An account of the sack and massacres in Ani is given by the Turkish historian Sibt ibn al-Jawzi , who quotes an eyewitness saying: The army entered the city, massacred its inhabitants, pillaged and burned it, leaving it in ruins and taking prisoner all those who remained alive...The dead bodies were so many that they blocked

2548-626: The Armenian people . It is difficult to situate this architectural style within precise geographical or chronological limits, but many of its monuments were created in the regions of historical Armenia, the Armenian Highlands . The greatest achievement of Armenian architecture is generally agreed to be its medieval churches and seventh century churches, though there are different opinions precisely in which respects. Medieval Armenian architecture, and Armenian churches in particular, have several distinctive features, which some believe to be

2639-688: The Bagratuni kingdom . Hovhannes-Smbat, fearing that the Byzantine Empire would attack his now-weakened kingdom, made the Byzantine Emperor Basil II his heir. When Hovhannes-Smbat died in 1041, Emperor Michael IV the Paphlagonian , claimed sovereignty over Ani. The new king of Ani, Gagik II (1042–45), opposed this and several Byzantine armies sent to capture Ani were repulsed. However, in 1046 Ani surrendered to

2730-430: The "city of forty gates" and the "city of a thousand and one churches." Ani also became the site of the royal mausoleum of Bagratuni kings. Ani attained the peak of its power during the long reign of King Gagik I (989–1020). After his death his two sons quarreled over the succession. The eldest son, Hovhannes-Smbat (1020–41), gained control of Ani while his younger brother, Ashot IV (1020–40), controlled other parts of

2821-414: The 'Ani school', reflecting its techniques, style, and material characteristics". Ani's architecture is an important reminder to the citizens of Armenia of their past. Its buildings have beautiful stone working and architectural designs that were very ahead of their time, this is a major source of pride for the Armenian people. The third criterion that gained Ani the right to be protected is that "Ani offers

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2912-651: The 1950s Ani was part of the USSR's territorial claims on Turkey . In 1968 there were negotiations between the Soviet Union and Turkey, in which Ani would be transferred to Soviet Armenia in exchange for two Kurdish villages being transferred to Turkey, however nothing resulted from the talks. During the Cold War , and until 2004, a permit from the Turkish Ministry of Culture was required. At one point in

3003-478: The 1980s, photography was banned, as the site lay on the then Turkish-Soviet border. Today, according to Lonely Planet and Frommer's travel guides to Turkey: Official permission to visit Ani is no longer needed. Just go to Ani and buy a ticket. If you don't have your own car, haggle with a taxi or minibus driver in Kars for the round-trip to Ani, perhaps sharing the cost with other travelers. If you have trouble,

3094-462: The 5th century the typical cupola cone in the center had become widely used. By the 7th century, centrally-planned churches had been built and a more complicated niched buttress and radiating Hrip'simé style had formed. By the time of the Arab invasion, most of what we now know as classical Armenian architecture had formed. From the 9th to 11th century, Armenian architecture underwent a revival under

3185-702: The 5th century. They described it as a strong fortress built on a hilltop and a possession of the Armenian Kamsarakan dynasty . By the early 9th century, the former territories of the Kamsarakans in Arsharunik and Shirak (including Ani) had been incorporated into the territories of the Armenian Bagratuni dynasty. The Bagratuni dynasty was the second notable dynasty in the Armenian kingdom . They secured their independence from

3276-655: The Armenian Catholicosate did the same. The Persian Safavids then ruled Ani until it became part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire in 1579. A small town remained within its walls at least until the middle of the seventeenth century, but the site was entirely abandoned by 1735 when the last monks left the monastery in the Virgin's Fortress or Kizkale . "Of true Armenian architecture the finest and most characteristic specimens are to be found in

3367-468: The Armenian fortress-city and pre-Christian religious center of Ani-Kamakh located in the region of Daranaghi in Upper Armenia . Ani was also previously known as Khnamk , although historians are uncertain as to why it was called so; according to philologist and Armenologist Heinrich Hübschmann , this name has nothing to do with the ordinary Armenian verb khnamel ("to care for"). According to

3458-531: The Armenian kingdom. Among its most notable buildings was the Cathedral of Ani , which is associated with early examples of Gothic architecture and that scholars argue influenced the great cathedrals of Europe in the early gothic and Romanesque styles; its ribbed vaulting would not be seen in European cathedrals for at least another two centuries. At its height, Ani was one of the world's largest cities, with

3549-600: The Byzantines, after Gagik was invited to Constantinople and detained there, and at the instigation of pro-Byzantine elements among its population. A Byzantine governor was installed in the city. Ani lied along any previously important trade routes, but because of its size, power, and wealth it became an important trading hub. Its primary trading partners were the Byzantine Empire, the Persian Empire ,

3640-555: The Illuminator , in the middle third of the church is depicted the Life of Christ. Such extensive fresco cycles are rare features in Armenian architecture – it is believed that these ones were executed by Georgian artists, and the cycle also includes scenes from the life of St. Nino, who converted the Georgians to Christianity. In the narthex and its chapel survive fragmentary frescoes that are more Byzantine in style. This church

3731-603: The Tourist Office may help. Plan to spend at least a half-day at Ani. It's not a bad idea to bring a picnic lunch and a water bottle. From the Armenian side of the border, in Shirak Province , an observation post has been set up near the village of Haykadzor , complete with an information panel, but the view is very poor. The outpost of Kharkov offers an excellent view, but access is restricted by border troops and Russian military personnel. Permission to visit

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3822-521: The Verge" of irreparable loss and destruction, citing insufficient management and looting as primary causes. The World Monuments Fund (WMF) placed Ani on its 1996, 1998, and 2000 Watch Lists of 100 Most Endangered Sites. In May 2011, WMF announced it was beginning conservation work on the cathedral and Church of the Holy Redeemer in partnership with the Turkish Ministry of Culture. In 2023, with

3913-443: The addition "would secure significant benefits in protection, research expertise, and funding." It gained this status due to its amazing representation of medieval Armenian architecture , however, there were three main criteria that further explain why this aspect of Ani is significant. The first of these criteria is that "Ani was a meeting place for Armenian, Georgian , and diverse Islamic cultural traditions that were reflected in

4004-455: The appearance of Gothic architecture (a style which the Ani cathedral predates by several centuries). This church, finished in 1215, is the best-preserved monument at Ani. It was built during the rule of the Zakarids and was commissioned by the wealthy Armenian merchant Tigran Honents . Its plan is of a type called a domed hall . In front of its entrance are the ruins of a narthex and

4095-409: The architectural design, material, and decorative details of the monuments". Ani's location on the silk road brought in many visitors from various parts of the world, these visitors brought with them new cultures and architectural styles. This unique combination of residents in the city led many of the buildings in Ani to have a never-before-seen architectural style that is distinct to this region of

4186-435: The architectural vernacular of Armenian Quarters in cities such as Zamość and Lviv . This influence is most evident in the sacred architecture of churches built by the Armenian community, where designs based on historic landmarks such as the cathedrals of Ani , Zvartnots and Etchmiadzin have been used as inspirational templates to construct these structures in their new surroundings. This tradition still continues into

4277-469: The armies of the Ottoman Empire were fighting their way across the territory of the newly declared Republic of Armenia, capturing Kars in April 1918. At Ani, attempts were made to evacuate the artifacts contained in the museum as Turkish soldiers were approaching the site. About 6,000 of the most portable items were removed by archaeologist Ashkharbek Kalantar , a participant of Marr's excavation campaigns. At

4368-544: The behest of Joseph Orbeli , the saved items were consolidated into a museum collection; they are currently part of the collection of Yerevan's State Museum of Armenian History. Everything that was left behind was later looted or destroyed. Turkey's surrender at the end of World War I led to the restoration of Ani to Armenian control, but a resumed offensive against the Armenian Republic in 1920 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk resulted in Turkey's recapture of Ani. In 1921

4459-521: The celebrated cathedral of Zvartnots at Vagharshapat . Nikolai Marr uncovered the foundations of this remarkable building in 1905 and 1906. Before that, all that was visible on the site was a huge earthen mound. The designer of the church was the architect Trdat . The church is known to have collapsed a relatively short time after its construction and houses were later constructed on top of its ruins. Trdat's design closely follows that of Zvartnotz in its size and in its plan (a quatrefoil core surrounded by

4550-479: The city came under attack from the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum whose forces destroyed and pillaged the city however they did not occupy it. The Mongols unsuccessfully besieged Ani in 1226, but in 1236 they captured and sacked the city, massacring large numbers of its population. During Mongol invasion of Georgia in 1238-39 Queen Rusudan had to evacuate Tbilisi for Kutaisi , leaving eastern Georgia in

4641-665: The city of Ani again became part of the Kingdom of Georgia . By the end of the 14th century, the city was ruled by a succession of local Turkish dynasties, including the Jalayrids and the Kara Koyunlu (Black Sheep clan) who made Ani their capital. It was ruined by an earthquake in 1319. Tamerlane captured Ani in the 1380s. On his death the Kara Koyunlu regained control but transferred their capital to Yerevan. In 1441

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4732-525: The city was eventually captured and destroyed. Following this disastrous campaign of 1238–1239, the Armenians and Georgians made peace with the Mongols and agreed to pay them tribute and supply their troops ( Georgian–Mongolian treaty of 1239 ). Following the decline of the Il-Khanate , during the later part of the reign of George V (between 1319 and 1335) and the reign of the later king Bagrat V ,

4823-429: The city were professionally excavated, numerous buildings were uncovered and measured, the finds were studied and published in academic journals, guidebooks for the monuments and the museum were written, and the whole site was surveyed for the first time. Emergency repairs were also undertaken on those buildings that were most at risk of collapse. A museum was established to house the tens of thousands of items found during

4914-431: The city, the styles of these churches were developed between the 4th and 8th century AD. Ani is currently classified by UNESCO as a 1st degree archaeological conservation site. This range of protection is continually being enlarged by UNESCO, however, as even Ani's surrounding areas are classified as 3rd-degree archaeological conservation sites. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is the main organization in charge of

5005-636: The closed border with Armenia . Between 961 and 1045, it was the capital of the Bagratid Armenian kingdom that covered much of present-day Armenia and eastern Turkey. The iconic city was often referred to as the "City of 1,001 Churches," though the number was significantly less. To date, 50 churches, 33 cave chapels and 20 chapels have been excavated by archaeologists and historians. Ani stood on various trade routes and its many religious buildings , palaces, and sophisticated fortifications distinguished it from other contemporary urban centers in

5096-689: The conservation of Ani, however, the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums also participates in helping with tasks such as restoration . There are also some other local branches in charge of some of the conservation efforts. When inscribing Ani Archaeological Site on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the 40th Session of the World Heritage Committee Member States highlighted: "…...the cosmopolitan setting of medieval Ani

5187-411: The endless development and neglect, the historical architecture of Yerevan is often desecrated or in some cases demolished. One of the most noticeable cases was the creation of Northern Avenue in Yerevan as per original plans of Alexander Tamanian , which destroyed the rich architectural heritage located in the area. There are also plans going on to destroy the historical district of Noragyugh to build

5278-484: The excavations. This museum was housed in two buildings: the Minuchihr mosque, and a purpose-built stone building. Armenians from neighboring villages and towns also began to visit the city on a regular basis, and there was even talk by Marr's team of building a school for educating the local Armenian children, building parks, and planting trees to beautify the site. In 1918, during the latter stages of World War I ,

5369-659: The first national style of a church building. Common characteristics include: Within the bounds of the aforementioned common characteristics, individual churches display considerable variation which may reflect time, place, and the creativity of its designer. Toros Toramanian distinguished the following classical styles while studying these variations in the early 20th century: Armenian architecture, as it originates in an earthquake-prone region, tends to be built with this hazard in mind. Armenian buildings tend to be rather low-slung and thick-walled in design. Armenia has abundant resources of stone, and relatively few forests, so stone

5460-617: The gods and protect humanity from their wrath. This sacred geometry is evident in the entire temple. To the people who created it, it was the perfect embodiment of their communion with the universe. Note that although sacred geometry was mostly used in religious buildings, secular buildings adopted some aspects of it. Christianity's institution as Armenia's official religion in 301 allowed new developments in Armenian architecture, which nevertheless preserved older traditions. In fact it would be almost impossible to find any religion that rose completely on its own without borrowing some traditions from

5551-504: The hands of atabeg Avag Zakarian , Shahnshah Zakarian , and Kakhetian lord, Egarslan Bakurtsikheli. The Mongol general Toghta was sent by Chaghatai to assault Avag's troops at the fortress of Kayan . After some resistance, Avag surrendered, and has to agree to pay tribute to the Mongols, and to provide let his troops join the Mongol army. The combined troops went on to Ani, the Armenian capital being defended by Shahnshah Zakarian , but

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5642-525: The highest point of a site. Higher levels were in mud brick, which has not survived, and it is not fully clear how appeared. The late Temple of Garni of the 1st century AD, in a fully Hellenistic style, is the only pagan monument left in any sort of complete state in Armenia, as many others were destroyed or converted to Christian places of worship under Tiridates III of Armenia . Garni includes local elements of sacred numerology and geometry. The temple has

5733-745: The most notable of which were the Kingdom of Kars , Lori, Syunik , Artsakh , and Vaspurakan . The Bagratuni dynasty led to some of the most notable works of art and architecture in Armenia's history, one of which being the Cathedral of Ani . The leader of the Bagratid dynasty, Ashot Msaker (Ashot the Meateater) (806–827) was given the title of ishkhan (prince) of Armenia by the Caliphate in 804. The Bagratunis had their first capital at Bagaran , some 40 km (25 mi) south of Ani, before moving it to Shirakavan , some 25 km (16 mi) northeast of Ani, and then transferring it to Kars in

5824-538: The most prolific architects of Armenian architectural monuments in the 20th century was Baghdasar Arzoumanian . Based in Yerevan , Armenia , he was the author of a great number of civil and church buildings along with other designs. The legendary architects of the 20th century were Alexander Tamanyan , Rafael Israyelyan, G. Kochar, E. Tigranyan, S. Safaryan, etc. Today the masters of Armenian architecture are S.Gurzadyan, S. Kalashyan, L. Khristaforyan, R. Asratyan etc. As

5915-494: The orders of St. Gregory the Illuminator , and were often built on top of pagan temples, and imitated some aspects of Armenian pre-Christian architecture. Classical and Medieval Armenian architecture is divided into four separate periods. The first Armenian churches were built between the 4th and 7th century, beginning when Armenia converted to Christianity, and ending with the Arab invasion of Armenia. The early churches were mostly simple basilicas , but some with side apses. By

6006-528: The past. Exploring Armenian churches is critical to our understanding of Medieval Armenia. Beyond that, the Armenian churches describe us the general landscape of the Christian East at a time when eyewitness accounts were exceedingly rare. In their messages of authenticity and legitimacy, the churches shaped and preserved public memory, negotiating among diverse linguistic, religious, political, and ethnic groups. The first Armenian churches were built on

6097-454: The patronage of the Bagratid dynasty with a great deal of building done in the area of Lake Van , this included both traditional styles and new innovations. Ornately carved Armenian khachkars were developed during this time. Many new cities and churches were built during this time, including a new capital at Lake Van and a new Cathedral on Akdamar Island to match. The Cathedral of Ani

6188-936: The present day as Armenian immigration has shifted away from the traditional areas of outmigration in Europe and the Middle East into the Americas and Australia. Khachkars have also become additional signifiers of Armenian identity and have been erected in recent year in cities such as Wrocław , Kraków , Elbląg in Poland, Novi Sad in Serbia, Beirut in Lebanon as well as in Dearborn, Michigan . Armenian cross-stones art and Symbolism and craftsmanship of Khachkars , listed to UNESCO intangible world heritage site. The following

6279-442: The protection of sacred sites) this ancient city "needs to be protected regardless of whose jurisdiction it falls under. Earthquakes in 1319, 1832, and 1988 , all have had devastating effects on the architecture of the city. The city of Ani is a sacred place which needs ongoing protection. " In an October 2010 report titled Saving Our Vanishing Heritage , Global Heritage Fund identified Ani as one of 12 worldwide sites most "On

6370-446: The ravine of the Akhurian River and on its western side by the Bostanlar , or Tsaghkotsadzor, valley. The Akhurian is a branch of the Araks River and forms part of the currently closed border between Turkey and Armenia. The site is at an elevation of around 1,340 meters (4,400 ft). The site is located in the Turkish province of Kars . Kars is currently an important center for local livestock trades and cheese production. It

6461-458: The ruined city of Ani..."  — James Bryce , 1876 In the first half of the 19th century, European travelers discovered Ani for the outside world, publishing their descriptions in academic journals and travel accounts. The private buildings were little more than heaps of stones but grand public buildings and the city's double wall were preserved and reckoned to present "many points of great architectural beauty". Ohannes Kurkdjian produced

6552-517: The ruins of Old Jugha in Nakhichevan (today's Azerbaijan ). Reports (see RFE/RL) and photographs from observers in Iranian territory emerged at the end of 2005 showing Azeri soldiers making deliberate attempts to destroy the gravestones. More recent photographs have revealed that the entire graveyard has been obliterated and a military training ground has been constructed on the site. Due to

6643-578: The same year, a separate treaty was signed between Turkey and the RSFSR , confirming the border between Turkey and the soviet republic of Armenia as it is today. The Russian negotiator Ganeckij of this treaty tried to include Ani into the soviet republic of Armenia, but Karabekir did not agree. During the Cold War , Ani lay on the Turkish- Soviet border, a segment of the Iron Curtain . In

6734-607: The second edition of the Encyclopedia of Islam : "A suggestion has been made that the town may owe its name to a temple of the Iranian goddess Anāhita (the Greek Anaďtis)". The Turkish government previously attempted to obscure the name of the town as Anı in order to give it a "more Turkish character". The city is located on a triangular site, visually dramatic and naturally defensive, protected on its eastern side by

6825-636: The signing of the Treaty of Kars formalized the incorporation of the territory containing Ani into the Republic of Turkey . In May 1921, the government minister Rıza Nur ordered the commander of the Eastern Front, Kazım Karabekir , for the monuments of Ani to "be wiped off the face of the earth." Karabekir records in his memoirs that he has vigorously rejected this command and never carried it out. Some destruction did take place, including most of Marr's excavations and building repairs. In October of

6916-673: The size of the core expanded. Frescos of marble or another stone were often affixed to the side of these buildings, usually at a later date. The gradual development of Armenian architecture. During the third millennium B.C , prehistoric Armenian architecture was already distinctive. The most common feature was its groundwork, which incorporated many geometrical shapes, ultimately forming a cell shape. An example of such architecture can be found in Kültəpə , near Nakhchivan . These buildings were approximately 6–7 metres wide and about 5 metres high. Urban architectural traditions, and other forms of art in

7007-478: The south side of the church, is still partially intact. It dates from the early 13th century. A number of other halls, chapels, and shrines once surrounded this church: Nicholas Marr excavated their foundations in 1909, but they are now mostly destroyed. There is no inscription giving the date of its construction, but an edict in Georgian is dated 1218. The church was referred to as "Georgian". During this period "Georgian" did not simply mean an ethnic Georgian, it had

7098-525: The southern end of Ani is a flat-topped hill once known as Midjnaberd (the Inner Fortress). It has its own defensive walls that date back to the period when the Kamsarakan dynasty ruled Ani (7th century AD). Nicholas Marr excavated the citadel hill in 1908 and 1909. He uncovered the extensive ruins of the palace of the Bagratid kings of Ani that occupied the highest part of the hill. Also inside

7189-533: The streets; one could not go anywhere without stepping over them. And the number of prisoners was not less than 50,000 souls. I was determined to enter the city and see the destruction with my own eyes. I tried to find a street in which I would not have to walk over the corpses; but that was impossible. In 1072, the Seljuks sold Ani to the Shaddadids , a Muslim Kurdish dynasty. The Shaddadids generally pursued

7280-930: The structure can take the required loads) this puts the mullions under tension rather than compression. When a very large glazed area was desired before the middle of the nineteenth century, such as in the large windows seen in Gothic churches or Elizabethan palaces, the openings necessarily required division into a framework of mullions and transoms, often of stone. It was further necessary for each glazed panel, sash or casement to be further subdivided by muntins or lead cames because large panes of glass were reserved primarily for use as mirrors, being far too costly to use for glazing windows or doors. In traditional designs today, mullions and transoms are normally used in combination with divided-light windows and doors when glazing porches or other large areas. Armenian architecture Armenian architecture comprises architectural works with an aesthetic or historical connection to

7371-603: The support of the WMF and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Anadolu Kültür brought together experts from worldwide to launch a mobile application which allows virtual exploration of Ani. In March 2015, it was reported that Turkey will nominate Ani to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. The archaeological site of Ani was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 15, 2016. According to art historian Heghnar Zeitlian Watenpaugh

7462-456: The world . This new style, formed when Ani was at its prime, still has a large impact on the current architecture in its region. The second criterion that caused Ani to gain the status of "outstanding universal value" from UNESCO is the fact that "Ani bears exceptional testimony to Armenian cultural, artistic, architectural, and urban design development and it is an extremely extraordinary representation of Armenian religious architecture known as

7553-482: The year 929. In 961, king Ashot III (953–77) transferred the capital from Kars to Ani. Ani expanded rapidly during the reign of King Smbat II (977–89). In 992 the Armenian Catholicosate moved its seat to Ani. In the 10th century the population was perhaps 50,000–100,000. By the start of the eleventh century the population of Ani was well over 100,000, and its renown was such that it was known as

7644-482: The years before Christ continued to develop and later were influenced by Greco-Roman art. Urartian architecture is known for its use of intricately cut rocks, used as foundations for mud brick buildings, usually constructed in a compact manner (such as in Erebuni ). Urartian temples had massive stone walls at lower levels and a relatively small interior space, usually square, and rose high; they were generally placed at

7735-694: Was also completed during this dynasty. It was during this time that the first major monasteries, such as Haghpat and Haritchavank were built. This period was ended by the Seljuk invasion. From the 12th to 14th century under the Zakarid dynasty saw an explosion in the number of monasteries built, including Saghmosavank Monastery, the Akhtala Monastery , Kaymaklı Monastery , Kecharis Monastery and Makaravank Monastery. Monasteries were institutes of learning, and much of medieval Armenian literature

7826-520: Was built as a private chapel for the Pahlavuni family. Their mausoleum, built in 1040 and now reduced to its foundations, was constructed against the northern side of the church. The church has a centralised plan, with a dome over a drum, and the interior has six exedera . Also known as the Gagikashen, this church was constructed between the years 1001 and 1005 and intended to be a recreation of

7917-461: Was completed shortly after the year 1035. It had a unique design: 19-sided externally, 8-apsed internally, with a huge central dome set upon a tall drum. It was built by Prince Ablgharib Pahlavid to house a fragment of the True Cross . The church was largely intact until 1955, when the entire eastern half collapsed during a storm. This small building probably dates from the late 10th century. It

8008-412: Was halted after his death, and was only finished in 1001 (or in 1010 under another reading of its building inscription). The design of the cathedral was the work of Trdat , the most celebrated architect of medieval Armenia. The cathedral is a domed basilica (the dome collapsed in 1319). The interior contains several progressive features (such as the use of pointed arches and clustered piers) that give to it

8099-442: Was nearly always used throughout for large buildings. Small buildings and most residential buildings were normally constructed of lighter materials, and hardly any early examples survive, as at the abandoned medieval capital of Ani . The stone used in buildings is typically quarried all at the same location, to give the structure a uniform color. In cases where different color stone are used, they are often intentionally contrasted in

8190-574: Was recaptured by the Shaddadids. In the year 1199, Georgia's Queen Tamar captured Ani and in 1201 gave the governorship of the city to the generals Zakare and Ivane . Zakare was succeeded by his son Shanshe (Shahnshah). Zakare's new dynasty — the Zakarids — considered themselves to be the successors to the Bagratids. Prosperity quickly returned to Ani; its defences were strengthened and many new churches were constructed. In 1217 and 1220,

8281-518: Was written in this time period. The invasion of Timurlane and the destruction of Cilician Armenia ended architectural progression from another 250 . The last great period in classic Armenian construction was under the Iranian Safavid Shahs , under which a number of new churches were built, usually at existing holy sites such as Etchmiadzin as well as in diaspora communities like New Julfa . Armenian architecture experienced

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