Tweet
ANI, THE GHOST CITY OF A THOUSAND AND ONE CHURCHES IN TURKEY
India TV
Jan 28 2014
India TV world desk [ Updated 27 Jan 2014, 18:49:41 ]
New Delhi: Ani is a ruined medieval Armenian city-site situated in
the Turkish province of Kars, near the border with Armenia.
The city is located on a triangular site, visually dramatic and
naturally defensive, protected on its eastern side by the ravine
of the Akhurian River and on its western side by the Bostanlar or
Tzaghkotzadzor valley.
The Akhurian is a branch of the Araks River and forms part of the
current border between Turkey and Armenia.
Called the "City of 1001 Churches," Ani stood on various trade routes
and its many religious buildings, palaces, and fortifications were
amongst the most technically and artistically advanced structures in
the world.
It is a ghost city today but once its Armenian inhabitants numbered
close to 200 thousand.
In its heyday it was a metropolis which rivalled Constantinople,
Cairo or Baghdad as a center of culture and enterprise.
Although it was never on traditional trade routes its sheer size and
power commanded visits by merchants from all directions.
The city is the victim of a colossal and centuries old struggle for
power between various factions in the region.
Founded in the fourth or fifth century AD the following millennium
saw Armenians, Kurds, Georgians, Mongols and Turks struggle for and
ascend to power in the city-state.
Watch the photos and captions at
http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/ani-the-ghost-city-of-a-thousand-and-one-churches-in-turkey-15919.html
India TV
Jan 28 2014
India TV world desk [ Updated 27 Jan 2014, 18:49:41 ]
New Delhi: Ani is a ruined medieval Armenian city-site situated in
the Turkish province of Kars, near the border with Armenia.
The city is located on a triangular site, visually dramatic and
naturally defensive, protected on its eastern side by the ravine
of the Akhurian River and on its western side by the Bostanlar or
Tzaghkotzadzor valley.
The Akhurian is a branch of the Araks River and forms part of the
current border between Turkey and Armenia.
Called the "City of 1001 Churches," Ani stood on various trade routes
and its many religious buildings, palaces, and fortifications were
amongst the most technically and artistically advanced structures in
the world.
It is a ghost city today but once its Armenian inhabitants numbered
close to 200 thousand.
In its heyday it was a metropolis which rivalled Constantinople,
Cairo or Baghdad as a center of culture and enterprise.
Although it was never on traditional trade routes its sheer size and
power commanded visits by merchants from all directions.
The city is the victim of a colossal and centuries old struggle for
power between various factions in the region.
Founded in the fourth or fifth century AD the following millennium
saw Armenians, Kurds, Georgians, Mongols and Turks struggle for and
ascend to power in the city-state.
Watch the photos and captions at
http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/ani-the-ghost-city-of-a-thousand-and-one-churches-in-turkey-15919.html