Ani historical capital

The town of thousand and one churches Ani

Ani (The town of thousand and one churches Ani) is one of the medieval Armenian capitals in Shirak, on the right bank of the Akhuryan River, on a triangular plateau. The area has been inhabited since ancient times, originally entered into the houses of the Kamsar Ministerial House. The city had three districts: Kamsarakan, Bagratuni (X-XI centuries) and Zakaryans (XII-XIV cc).

About the capital of Ani

The Armenian kingdom did not have a permanent capital for a long time. Dwin continued to be the center of Arabian, and the battle to clean the Arabs was not successful yet. Besides, Dvin was out of Bagratuni’s main economic center in Shirak. Even the royal Kars city was economically unprofitable to make it a permanent capital. The economic development of the country automatically generated such a center. In the ancient city of Ani in Shirak, a new city was born that Bagratunians proclaimed as the capital in 961.

Ani’s walls

Ani had a geographical and strategic location and was at the crossroads of busy commercial roads. Ani, becoming the capital, grew rapidly and built up luxurious buildings and fenced. Establishment of the new capital symbolized not only the strengthening of the Bagratidian kingdom, but also its being a sovereign power. The celebration of Ani’s becoming a capital was joined with Ashot G’s crowning ceremony. Prominent figures of Armenia and neighboring countries, such as Virk, Aghvan, were invited to Ani. These celebrations made the impression on the contemporaries that it seemed that the Armenian Arshakuni kingdom was restored.

Architecture of Ani Fortress city

Construction of the capital with magnificent architectural structures continued in the next decades. The city had a spacious market, inns. There were dozens of churches, temples, palaces, luxury hotels, and many other secular buildings. By the people, Ani had a thousand and one church. In 961 Ashot Mercy makes Ani the capital of his country. In 989, King Smbat II built the Smbatashan wall, which was 2500 meters long and 8-10 meters high. It ends with dentures. On one of the walls was Smbat’s sculpture, in the hands of the city’s model.

Information about the capital city Ani

The city had 40 doors, the castle surrounded by a deep pit. A bridge was built on the Akhuryan River, which was raised during the attack. The workshops were built around one another, according to trades, and occupied entire neighborhoods. Total area of the royal palace is 3500 – 4000 square meters. The walls of the palace’s hall were decorated with mysterious mural pictures. There was a palace bath with seven halls, cold and hot water basins, removal of water used by the pipeline. Ani was known for his churches. Only the palace complex included 7 churches, the most magnificent of which was the Church of the Holy Mother of God. Ani’s ghost town Gagkashen Church, which was not a repetition of the latter, but an improved version. Here, one of the walls had a statue of Gagik’s king, which was 2,26 meters high. Other well-known churches of Ani were the Holy Apostles of Ani, St. The Savior, the churches of Tigran Honentsu, Manuchès. The latter later turned into a mosque.

Ani and Silk Road

City Ani was a trade hub between various countries. China imported silk and porcelain, Byzantium, Cilicia and Egypt, painted glass, paints from Persia, porcelain and so on. Ani was also an industrial city. Here were made of high quality ceramics, copper items, rugs, jewelry made of gold, silver and other metals and weapons that were in great demand. The samples of applied art found during the excavations of Ani are distinguished by the diversity of styles and tastes.

Photo By: Artur Martirosyan