Archaeological Site of Ani

By Kitti and Jon

What is the Archaeological Site of Ani?

The Archaeological Site of Ani sits on a plateau in eastern Anatolia on the border with Armenia. Ani is known by many names, including “the city of 1001 churches,” “the city of 40 gates,” or “a world city.” This ancient city dates back to 5000 BC. In the 10th-11th centuries AD, as the capital of the Armenian Bagratids kingdom, it served as an important trade centre and stop along the Silk Road.

Ani’s decline started during the Mongol invasion and a devastating earthquake in 1319 accelerated the process. The city was completely abandoned by the 18th century.

Today, the archaeological site consists of many intact structures including religious, domestic and military buildings.

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Why is the Archaeological Site of Ani a UNESCO World Heritage site?

The Archaeological Site of Ani was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016. According to UNESCO: “Ani was a meeting place for Armenian, Georgian and diverse Islamic cultural traditions that were reflected in the architectural design, material and decorative details of the monuments.” This meeting of influences led to the development of a “new architectural language” that was unique to Ani: the “Ani school.” It in turn influenced architectural design and decoration across the region.

Ani also contains an unusual variety of medieval architecture, including “almost all the architectural types that emerged in the region in the course of the six centuries from 7th to 13th centuries AD.” At the same time, it is unusual to have nearly all the different types of Armenian Church architecture that developed between the 4th and 8th centuries in one place.

What can you expect on a visit to Ani?

Ani Ruins were one of the most interesting archaeological sites we visited in Türkiye. We felt a sense of awe as we entered the once bustling city through the Lion Gate, which used to be one of the main entrances into Ani. From there, we could immediately see the Church of St Gregory of the Abughamrents, which is one of the most recognisable and photographed buildings within the site.

As we started to walk around, we came across many other well-preserved residential, religious, and military structures scattered around the massive site. We could also walk inside many of the buildings, where stunning frescoes adorn the walls. Luckily, there were a few English information boards which provided us with explanations about the remaining structures.

Apart from the Church of St Gregory, Ani Cathedral, the largest surviving structure at Ani, is also very impressive. Tigran Honents Church is another one that is well worth walking up to. Perched on top of the ravine, this church’s location is impressive to begin with. However, its incredible interior, filled with frescoes from top to bottom, blew us away.

As well as the different churches and palaces, we also came across the remains of a mosque, which is considered one of the first mosques built in Eastern Türkiye.

In the end we spent around three hours admiring all the buildings within Ani as well as enjoying the incredible scenery.

Is the Archaeological Site of Ani worth visiting?

Visiting the Ani Ruins is one of the best things to do around Kars. Anybody who likes learning about history, architecture, and religion will thoroughly enjoy a visit to the Ani Ruins. Since the area is also a popular ski destination, not to mention the stunning train ride you can do to get to Kars, Ani Ruins would be a fantastic addition to a winter-themed holiday.

Thanks to Ani’s location, it is a much less visited place in Türkiye when compared to the influx of tourists who travel to Istanbul or Cappadocia. This makes it a perfect site to visit for anyone wanting to get off the beaten path and enjoy the scenery without the huge crowds.

Book your accommodations in Kars.

In addition, the food in Eastern Türkiye is incredible, and you’re more likely to have a truly traditional experience here than in the more touristy parts of the country.

Tips for visiting the Ani Ruins

We suggest purchasing the Türkiye Museum Pass if you’re planning on visiting many places in Türkiye. It costs €165, which might seem like a lot initially, but individual entry fees can add up quickly, so it may work out cheaper to have the pass.

You may want to consider visiting Ani Ruins in the winter season. This way you can enjoy the stunning snowy landscape at the archaeological site as well as go skiing at Sarıkamış Ski Resort. The dedicated Tourist Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi) train from Ankara to Kars also runs during this season, and is one of the most unique ways to reach the city.

Since Ani Ruins is open all year round, make sure to wear weather appropriate clothing and comfortable footwear. The site is large and open without much protection from the elements.

Where is the Archaeological Site of Ani?

Ani is located 44 km (27 mi) from the city of Kars in Eastern Türkiye. There are four ways to reach Kars:

• By air: Kars Harakani Airport (KSY) is about 6 km (3.7 mi) from Kars. Get an international flight to Istanbul, then a domestic one to Kars, which will take about two hours.
• By train: Ankara, Türkiye’s capital, is about 1,310 km (814 mi) from Kars. You can take the Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi) train for a scenic journey, though it’s long, at about 26 hours.
• By bus: There are buses travelling to Kars from many major cities in Eastern Türkiye, if you’re already in the area.
• By car: If you’re road-tripping around Türkiye, you could also get there by car. From Ankara it is about 1,310 km (814 mi). From Istanbul it is about 1,435 km (892 mi) and will take 18 hours’ driving or more. (And if you are road-tripping, check out some of the other UNESCO sites in Türkiye.)

There are a few ways to get to the Ani Ruins from Kars:

Joining an organised tour is an easy and convenient way to reach the archaeological site. This also allows you to learn more about its history.

This 6-day tour includes Ani Ruins. So do this 14-day tour and this 19-day tour.

Hiring a car in Kars and driving to the ruins is another convenient option. However, if you don’t want to drive, then hiring a taxi driver to take you there and wait for you is also possible. We recommend organising one with your hotel staff.

Lastly, there’s a “tourist bus” that leaves from in front of Antik Cafe at the corner of Faikbey Cd and Gazi Ahmet Muhtar Pasa Cd. It’s worth checking the current departure times with your hotel staff.

For more information about the Ani Ruins, its opening hours and admission fees, see the official website.

Have you been to the Archaeological Site of Ani? If so, do you have any additional information or advice about this UNESCO World Heritage site? Please add your comments below!