Ani – a ruined medieval Armenian city now situated in Turkey’s province of Kars

Between 961 and 1045, it was the capital of the Bagratid Armenian kingdom that covered much of present-day Armenia and eastern Turkey.

Called the “City of 1001 Churches”, Ani stood on various trade routes, and its many religious buildings, palaces, and fortifications were among the most technically and artistically advanced structures in the world.

At its height, Ani was one of the world’s largest cities, with a possible population of circa 100,000.

Renowned for its splendor, Ani was sacked by the Mongols in 1236. Ani never recovered from a devastating 1319 earthquake and was gradually abandoned until it was largely forgotten by the 17th-century

Merike Joosep