Cathedral of Ani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of Ani |
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The cathedral in 2009
 The cathedral displayed in a red circle within Ani |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Armenian Apostolic Church |
| Location | |
| Location | Ani, Kars Province, Turkey |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Trdat |
| Architectural type | Domed basilica |
| Architectural style | Armenian |
| Founder | Smbat II of Armenia |
| Groundbreaking | 989 |
| Completed | 1001 or 1010 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 34.3 m (113 ft) |
| Width | 21.9 m (72 ft) |
| Height (max) | originally: 38 m (125 ft) 24 m (79 ft) to the base of the dome |
| Official name: Archaeological Site of Ani | |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iii, iv |
| Designated | 2016 (40th session) |
| Reference no. | 1518 |
| Region | Western Asia |
The Cathedral of Ani is the biggest building still standing in Ani. Ani was once the capital city of a medieval Armenian kingdom. Today, it is located in eastern Turkey, close to the border with modern Armenia. This amazing building was finished in the early 11th century. A famous architect named Trdat designed it. For almost 50 years, it was the main church for the Armenian Apostolic Church, led by the Catholicos.
In 1064, after the Seljuks took over Ani, the cathedral was used as a mosque. Later, it became an Armenian church again. Sadly, a big earthquake in 1319 damaged it, and its pointed dome fell down. Over time, people left Ani, and the church slowly fell apart. Another earthquake in 1988 caused more damage to its north-western side.
Many experts believe the cathedral is the largest and most impressive building in Ani. It is a type of church called a domed basilica, which means it has a rectangular shape with a dome. Even though the dome is gone now, the building is still special. Its unique pointed arches and supporting columns might have even influenced, or at least came before, Gothic architecture in Europe. In 2016, the cathedral and the whole site of Ani were named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Contents
Exploring the Cathedral of Ani
What is the Cathedral of Ani Called?
In modern Armenian, people usually call it Anii mayr tačar, which means "cathedral of Ani." In Turkish, it's called Ani Katedrali, also meaning "cathedral of Ani." Long ago, in Armenian, it was known as Anii Kat'oghike. It is also sometimes called the Holy Mother of God Church of Ani or the Great Cathedral of Ani.
How the Cathedral Began
Armenia became independent around 885, after being ruled by Arabs for over 200 years. King Ashot III made Ani the capital city in 961. Ani then grew into a busy city with many people.
The building of the cathedral started in 989. King Smbat II asked the architect Trdat to build a grand cathedral in the new capital. When King Smbat died in 989, the construction stopped for a while. During this time, Trdat went to Constantinople to help fix the dome of the Hagia Sophia church, which had fallen in an earthquake.
Trdat came back in 993, and the building continued. Queen Katranide, the wife of King Gagik I, finished the cathedral. It was completed in either 1001 or 1010. From 1001 until the mid-11th century, the cathedral was the main church for the Armenian Apostolic Church. This meant Ani was important for both religion and politics in Armenia.
Originally, a silver cross sat on its dome, and a crystal chandelier from India hung inside. In the 1010s, a special tomb for holy virgins was built next to the cathedral. Later, in the 1040s and 1050s, writings on the cathedral's walls talked about city projects. These included fixing the city walls, adding water pipes, and making taxes easier for people in Ani.
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Charles Texier (1842)
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Reconstruction by Texier (1842)
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Cross section of the church per Toros Toramanian
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Reconstruction by Toramanian
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Reconstruction by Wilhelm Lübke (1881)
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Ground plan
Later Years and Changes
Ani was taken over by the Byzantine Empire in 1045. Then, in 1064, the Seljuks, led by Alp Arslan, captured the city. Alp Arslan and his soldiers held their first prayer in Ani at the cathedral. Because of this, the cathedral was changed into a mosque and called Fethiye Mosque.
In 1124, a crescent symbol was placed on the dome by the ruler of Ani. The Armenians of Ani then asked King David IV of Georgia for help. He captured Ani, and the cathedral became a Christian church again. However, Ani soon came under the control of another group in 1126. During the 12th century, several important historians and philosophers worked at the cathedral. In 1198, Ani was taken by Georgian-Armenian princes, and the cathedral thrived under their rule.
Why the Cathedral Fell Apart
Ani began to decline in 1239 when Mongols attacked the city. In 1319, a strong earthquake hit Ani, causing the cathedral's pointed roof to collapse. By the 18th century, Ani was completely empty. The part of the dome that supported it also fell during an earthquake in 1832 or 1840.
The north-western part of the cathedral was badly damaged by the 1988 Armenian earthquake. This earthquake caused a large hole in the building. It also created a serious crack in the south-west corner, and parts of the roof started to fall by 1998. Some experts warned that the building could collapse if it wasn't fixed.
Protecting the Cathedral
The World Monuments Fund (WMF) has listed Ani on its World Monuments Watch since 1996. This means they keep an eye on important historical sites that need protection. In 2011, the WMF and the Turkish Ministry of Culture started a project to help save the cathedral and a nearby church. This project received money from the U.S. State Department.
Before the project, a steel frame was put around the cathedral to stop its cracked walls from falling. The WMF and its Turkish partner said they would work to make the cathedral stable and protect it. Turkish officials hoped that bringing new life to these old buildings would help the local economy.
The archaeological site of Ani was officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2016. This helps ensure it gets more protection, expert help, and funding. In 2018, restoration work on the cathedral began. The WMF and its partners continued their efforts in 2019 and 2021, focusing on long-term plans to restore the entire cathedral.
The Cathedral's Design
How it Looks Inside and Out
The Cathedral of Ani is a domed basilica, meaning it has a central plan with a dome. Its design is similar to older Armenian churches from the 7th century. The dome used to sit on special supports called pendentives, above where four arched sections met. Inside, tall columns divide the space into three parts, with the main area ending in a rounded section at the east. Experts say the inside feels grand because everything is perfectly balanced. The outside has beautiful blind arcades (arches that are just for decoration) with thin columns and fancy carvings around the doors and windows.
The cathedral is mostly built from yellow stone, but also has black and red polished stone. It has three entrances, with the main one on the western side. The other entrances are on the north and south and are very decorated. Its windows are narrow and long with fancy frames. Some people think the inside, with its large polished stones, is even more impressive than the outside.
How Big is It?
The cathedral is about 34.3 meters (112.5 feet) long and 21.9 meters (71.8 feet) wide. It was originally around 38 meters (125 feet) tall, making it the tallest building in Ani. Its pointed dome used to stand out against the city's skyline. It is very large for an Armenian church. Some believe its big size and rich decorations show the strength of the Armenian kingdom at that time.
Some Western visitors thought it was small compared to European cathedrals. However, others described it as a "stately building" and "a building of really great beauty and of the most perfect proportions."
What Experts Say About It
Many experts consider the Cathedral of Ani a masterpiece of Armenian architecture. It is the largest and most impressive building in Ani. Some call it the most important building from the entire Bagratid period. The cathedral is known for its new and clever design features. Authors of a "Global History of Architecture" book wrote that it should be listed among the most important buildings of its time. This is because of its pointed arches and special columns.
Historians have said it is "worthy of far greater renown" and a "monument of the highest artistic merit." They note that its building techniques were very advanced for its time. One expert, Richard Phené Spiers, wrote in 1911 that the church has "all the characteristics of a complete pointed-arch style." He added that this style could be found in Italy or Sicily much later, in the 12th or 14th century.
Churches Inspired by Ani Cathedral
The main church of Marmashen Monastery (built between 988 and 1029) is thought to be a smaller version of Ani Cathedral. It was likely built by the same architect, Trdat. Both churches have decorative arches on their outer walls.
The design of the Holy Saviour's Church in Gyumri, finished in 1873, is based on Ani Cathedral. However, the Gyumri church is much larger and not an exact copy. The Armenian Cathedral of Lviv also has decorative arches on its walls that look very much like those on the Ani Cathedral.
Did Ani Cathedral Influence Gothic Architecture?
Some European scholars believe that the pointed arches and clustered columns used in the Cathedral of Ani might have influenced the development of Gothic architecture. This idea became popular thanks to Josef Strzygowski, who studied Armenian architecture deeply. He suggested that the builders of Ani Cathedral were already creating a "Gothic" style before it appeared in Western Europe.
Many others, including H. F. B. Lynch and William Lethaby, also noticed the similarities. Lynch said the cathedral has "many of the characteristics of the Gothic style." Another expert, David Roden Buxton, wrote in 1937 that the inside of Ani Cathedral looks like a Gothic cathedral that Western Europe would see two centuries later. He noted its "high pointed vault" and "narrow pointed arches."
Experts like Cecil Stewart and David Talbot Rice have also pointed out how "astonishingly Gothic" the cathedral is. David Marshall Lang explained that having pointed arches and clustered columns together is a key feature of mature Gothic architecture. Christina Maranci believes the cathedral's elegant design "anticipate[s] the Gothic styles of buildings like Notre-Dame." This theory has gained support from many Armenian architecture historians and organizations like the World Monuments Fund.
Importance to Armenians
The Cathedral of Ani holds great meaning for Armenians. In 1989, events called "The Glory of Ani" were held in the United States to celebrate the cathedral's 1000th anniversary.
In modern Armenia, the cathedral has been shown on a stamp in 2002 and on a special silver coin in 2011. Students from Yerevan State University have even held their graduation ceremonies at the cathedral. People also visit for pilgrimages and other special events, showing its continued importance as a cultural and historical symbol.
Images for kids
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The cathedral with the Church of the Redeemer in the background
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Western façade
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Detail on the south façade
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Interior view
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Interior
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A stereoscopic photograph from the southwest, by Ohannes Kurkdjian, between 1875 and 1880
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A photo of the cathedral published in a 1901 book by H. F. B. Lynch
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A 1900 painting of the cathedral by Gevorg Bashinjaghian, National Gallery of Armenia
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Watercolour by Arshak Fetvadjian, 1905
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by Peshdimaldjian, published in 1912
