386) Tourists in Ani Ruins Taken out of Military Zone

The Turkish council of Ministers and General Staff abolished the military forbidden zone around the Ani Ruins on the Turkish-Armenian border in 2004.

 

About 15,000 tourists visited Ani antique city within a year. Since the ruin was under the context of a first level military zone, local and foreign ministers were not allowed to visit the region without permission and identity information.The History of the Ani Antique City extends to great cultural monuments like the Abul Menucehr Mosque,the first mosque built in 1072 by (Turks) Seljuks, and Fethiye Mosque (Big Cathedral). The antique city, encompassing five kilometers of land, includes 10 churches, a palace, two mosques, a bridge and a caravansaray.

 

The Culture and Turism Director in Kars, Kenan Bekis, said they expected about 20,000 to 30,000 tourists to visit the Ani Ruins. İndicating that the Turkish Tourism and Culture Ministry are continuing environmental plans for the ruins, Bekis said excavations that began in the beginning of July would continue until September 15. "Tourists rarely visited Ani Ruins while it was protected as a military prohibited zone because visits required many procedural documents from military authorities and the museum directorate. However, now everyone can buy tickets and visit the area. A Six-person cadre under the Turkish Finance Ministry will provide security in the Ani Ruins. Moreover, the Tourism Gendarme will determine the tourism zones to be protected. We also held a meeting with the Governor of Kars, Nevzat Turhan, at his presidency. We applied for the Gendarme’s General Commandership for Ani's security. We will also achieve security through this way.

 

Located in Ocakli village, 42 kilometers away from Kars, is the antique city of Ani. The city was established in 5000 B.C within the Turkish boundaries on the western side of Arapcay River, which separates the Turkish-Armenian border. It was the first accommodation center along the Silk Road, and as a result today it a famous trade center. The inner fortress, which encircles the city was built by the Karsaklilar, who renamed the city as Kars in 400 (A.D.). The city of Ani hosted many societies such as the Karsaklilar, İlhanlilar, Seddatogullari, Karakoyunlular, Georgians, Harzemsahlar, and the Seljuk Empire.

 

Some of the remains found in Ani Ruins are as follows:

 

Menucehr Mosque: The mosque is located in the antique city, Ani. It was built by Abu Suca Manucher from the Seddatogullari in 1072 and it is known as the first mosque built by the Seljuks in Anatolia.

 

Abul Muammeral Mosque (Boz Minaret): It is in the center of the antique city. It was built by the last Seddatli Sultan, Sahan Sah. The minaret of the destroyed mosque remains collapsed on the site.

 

Virgin Mary Cathedral (Fethiye Mosque): The construction work of the cathedral began in 1010 in Ani city center during Sambat II.’s period. It was completed during Gagik I’s period. The cathedral was used as a mosque for some time after Alparslan’s conquest. This building is among the most well-preserved buildings in Ani.

 

Kecel Church: It was built in 1034-1036 by the son of Abugremrizents Dakkavi, who is the grandson of Gregor. The church was repaired by pope Tridot in 1173. A bell tower was added to the main structure in 1291 and the dome was repaired in 1342. Half of the structure is still partially damaged due lightning strikes.

 

 

Kars

By Murat Kaban
Published: Friday, August 19, 2005
zaman.com