Living in the Shadow of Ani. Eastern Turkey.
Ani, also known as the City of 1001 Churches, is a vast ancient city located on the Turkish-Armenian border. From 961 AD to 1045 AD, it was the capital of the Bagratid Armenian empire that stretched across Armenia and eastern Turkey. At its zenith, Ani had a population of over 100,000 people. Today, all that is left of this once great city are the shells of the massive Armenian churches, administrative buildings, fortifications and palaces strew across the high plains around the modern Turkish city of Kars. Local farmers have made the plains around these monolithic structures their homes; living in and around the crumbling churches and fortified walls of Ani. Beekeepers lay out their hives in the thick grass and flowers of the meadows around Ani. Herders lead their cattle through the fields between the ancient churches and fortifications. And small mountain villages have built up around the sprawling site. This ongoing project documents their lives and traditions living in the shadow of Ani. [Ongoing Project June 2015 - Present]
Herder. Plains around Ani, Eastern Turkey.
A herder grazes his cattle on the plains around the ancient ruins of Ani. The plains are at high altitudes, many ranging between 6,000-8,000 feet above sea level. Many of these herders and farmers have lived and worked in the land disputed between Armenia and Turkey. Even living on a disputed land their daily life continues much the same. They practice traditional herding techniques that go back hundreds of years. These herders will graze their animals in the site of Ani early in the morning before the site officially opens to tourists.
The Cathedral, Ani. Eastern Turkey.
The Cathedral, also called Surp Asdvadzadzin (the Church of the Holy Mother of God), was built in 989 AD by King Smbat II. The building wasn't completed until 1001 AD. It had a domed basilica, but that structure collapsed in 1319 AD. The building contains pointed arches and clustered piers to give it a Gothic style. The Cathedral was designed by the architect Trdat. It's one of the best preserved of the Ani churches.
Local Woman Making Sheep Cheese. Eastern Turkey.
A local woman living next to the ruins of Ani prepares sheep milk to be turned into cheese. Locals living in this region still live in many ways their ancestors have for hundreds of years. This woman prepares the cheese in the big metal basin and then stores it in the sheep skin to curdle and become cheese.
Cheesemaking in the region around Ani
Locals living around the ancient site of Ani still make cheese in the traditional way, in a sheepskin bag. Kars Province, Turkey.
The ruins of the main fortifications and central city complex at sunrise. The ancient city of Ani is a ruined medieval-era Armenian city now situated in Turkey's province of Kars. It is located next to the closed border with Armenia. From 961 AD to 1045 AD, Ani was the capital of the Bagratid Armenian kingdom covering present-day Armenia and eastern Turkey. Nicknamed the "City of 1001 Churches," it stood at the crossroads of many trade routes. At the peak of it's power and influence, Ani's once magnificent churches, palaces, and fortifications were some of the most technically and artistically advanced structures in the world. During Ani's golden age, its population was around 100,000 people. Today it's a collection of crumbling buildings and walls scattered across miles of farm land on the Armenian-Turkish boarder. Ani, eastern Turkey.
Farmland and small farming communities have grown up around the ruins of Ani. Ani is located on a high plateau in eastern Turkey. The land around it is rich with nutrients and perfect for farming. Local beekeepers, herders, and farmers raise their plants and animals around these impressive ruins. The churches shown here is the Church of St. George of the Abughamrents and an unnamed church.
Toppled column head from the Basilica.
Today Ani is an archaeological sites that is being conserved and maintained. Mostly what remains are churches and fortification walls. This image is of a toppled column head from the basilica.
Culivating honey in the fields around Ani
Farmers harvest honey in the fields around the ancient ruins of Ani. They will intentionally harvest honey at different altitudes because it tastes different. They frequently move their beehives to have the bees pollenate different flowers. The beekeepers live in tents and live a semi-nomadic lifestyle, frequently moving their beehives to different fields.
Beehives in the fields around Ani.
Local farmers use the fields around Ani for bee hives and cultivating honey. They will place the hives at different altitudes because that changes the flavor of the honey.
The churches and fortification of Ani extend down into the deep gorge which runs next to the main center of the once great city.
Old and new mixes in the hills and pastures around Ani. The city's fortifications are in the foreground with one of it's churches in the middle of the photograph. In the background is a modern day village, mostly comprised of farmers who use the fields of grazing their animals and raising bees.