Zaman, Turkey
Aug 19 2005
Tourists in Ani Ruins Taken out of Military Zone
By Murat Kaban
Published: Friday, August 19, 2005
zaman.com
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.
Ýndicating 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, Ýlhanlilar, 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.
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