Ani Ruins - Kars - Turkey Travel Guide and Tours HD World Travel https://www.youtube.com/user/World1Tube Ani is a ruined medieval Armenian city-site situated in the Turkish province of Kars, near the border with Armenia. Between 961 and 1045 it was the capital of the medieval (Bagratuni) Armenian Kingdom that covered much of present day Armenia and eastern Turkey. The city is located on a triangular site, visually dramatic and naturally defensive, protected on its eastern side by the ravine of the Akhurian River and on its western side by the Bostanlar or Tzaghkotzadzor valley. The Akhurian is a branch of the Araks River and forms part of the current border between Turkey and Armenia. Called the "City of 1001 Churches," Ani stood on various trade routes and its many religious buildings, palaces, and fortifications were amongst the most technically and artistically advanced structures in the world. At its height, Ani had a population of 100,000--200,000 people and was the rival of Constantinople, Baghdad and Damascus. Long ago renowned for its splendor and magnificence, Ani was abandoned and largely forgotten following the earthquake of 1319. History Ani Ruins, Kars, Turkey ================= Etymology Armenian chroniclers such as Yeghishe and Ghazar Parpetsi first mentioned Ani in the 5th century AD. They described it as a strong fortress built on a hilltop and a possession of the Armenian Kamsarakan dynasty. The city took its name from the Armenian fortress-city and pagan center of Ani-Kamakh located in the region of Daranaghi in Upper Armenia. Ani was also previously known as Khnamk (Խնամք), although historians are uncertain as to why it was called so. Johann Heinrich Hübschmann, a German philologist and linguist who studied the Armenian language, suggested that the word may have come from the Armenian word "khnamel" (խնամել), an infinitive which means "to take care of". Ani was also the diminutive name of ancient Armenian goddess Anahit who was seen as the mother-protector of Armenia Cultural and economic center Ani did not lie along any previously important trade routes, but because of its size, power, and wealth it became an important trading hub. Its primary trading partners were the Byzantine Empire, the Persian Empire, the Arabs, as well as smaller nations in southern Russia and Central Asia. Sacking and desolation Ani was attacked and sacked respectively by both Byzantine and Seljuk Turkish armies. For the former Byzantine attacks in 1044, Armenian historian Vardapet Aristakes wrote: "In these days Byzantine armies entered the land of Armenia four times in succession until they had rendered the whole country uninhabited through sword, fire, and captive taking. ======================= Ani Ruins, Kars, Turkey, Ani Ruins Travel, Ani Ruins Travel Guide, Ani Ruins Tourism, Ani Ruins Tours, Ani Ruins History, Ani Ruins Vacation, Visit Ani Ruins, Kars Travel, Kars Travel Guide, Kars Tourism, Kars Tours, Kars History, Kars Vacation, Visit Kars, Turkey Travel, Turkey Travel Guide, Turkey Tourism, Turkey Tours, Turkey History, Turkey Vacation, Visit Turkey, Turkey's Sacred Lands, Ancient Civilizations

• published: 27 Mar 2014
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