Ani ruins – basic details
Ani is a ruined medieval Armenian city located in Turkey's province of Kars, next to the closed border with Armenia.
History: Ani was the capital of the Bagratid Armenian kingdom from 961 to 1045.
It flourished as a major city on a section of the Silk Road trade route until the Mongol invasion in the 13th century.
An earthquake in 1319 further damaged the city.
The city was eventually abandoned in the 18th century.
Ani was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.
Description: The ruins of Ani encompass a variety of structures, including churches, monasteries, palaces, and fortifications.
The architecture of Ani reflects a blend of Armenian and Islamic influences.
Ani was once known as the "City of 1,001 Churches," although the actual number of churches was likely nowhere near that high.
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