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Ani Ruins: Discovering the Forgotten Medieval Capital of Armenian

Imagine standing in a place where the past seems almost touchable, where every stone and ruin narrates a forgotten story of time. This is what it is like to visit Ani, an ancient city on the Turkish-Armenian border. Today, this once lively medieval capital serves as a ghost town with haunting beauty portrayed in the remnants of churches, cathedrals, and fortresses that await rediscovery of its glorious history.

Why Visit Ani?

Primarily, Ani is something any photographer would have killed for. The ruins are simply stunning where they dot the ancient city formerly known as “City of 1001 Churches,” rising dramatically from its rough landscape. There are also remains of churches, cathedrals and fortifications around you with panoramic views over valleys and mountains far away. It’s one of those places that make you feel small in the best way possible like you’re just a little part in it.

But Ani isn’t mere eye candy; it has got some serious history behind it. It had been the capital city of Bagratid Armenian Kingdom and busy center for trade and culture during the 10th-11th centuries. In your walk through these ruins, one can easily imagine how this city would have looked like when full of life with traders filling its streets alongside scholars or craftsmen. The echoes of the past are everywhere, and it’s impossible not to feel a sense of awe at how much history this place holds.

How to Go Visit Ani?

But trust me, getting to Ani is an adventure itself and it is worth it. The ruins are located about 45 kilometers east of Kars, the nearest town, which is accessible by plane or train from Istanbul or Ankara. In Kars you can rent a car or take a local bus – but I would suggest the car if you want to explore at your own pace.

When you reach Ani, you’ll enter through the old city walls and then it’s all up to you; go and have fun. The site is quite vast so plan on spending at least several hours exploring it. There isn’t really a guided tour (unless you book one in advance), so mostly just you and the ruins, which honestly is part of its charm. Don’t forget water might be snacks even some good walking shoes as sometimes the terrain could be slightly challenging.

Why Ani Deserves Your Attention

Ani is not crowded like the rest. This is different from other historical sites in Turkey; tourists are not pouring in here every day. In a few cases, you may even find that some of the ruins are yours alone, which is quite rare these days. This puts it among the best places to experience history in an intimate way without being distracted by large groups of tourists.

So why should one consider visiting Ani? It’s one of those unusual locations where you can almost touch what has already happened, where vestiges remain alive and forgotten cities’ narratives come alive before your eyes. And also let’s be honest about this – as per your Instagram account goes you could use some shots of these ancient ruins.

If hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path travel enthrall you, then Ani must definitely be calling out to you! You will remember it long after leaving and believe me when I say that taking a detour won’t hurt a bit.