Ani at sunrise. Eastern Turkey.

Ani's main fortifications and central city complex at sunrise. The ancient city is a ruined medieval-era Armenian city now situated in Turkey's Kars province. 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 its 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.

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. The Cathedral, Ani. Eastern Turkey.

Toppled column head in the Basilica. Ani, Eastern Turkey.

Today, most of what remains at Ani are the towering walls of churches and fortifications. In the Basilica, a number of well-preserved column heads can still be found throughout the site. The Basilica, Ani. Eastern Turkey.

Fortification walls of Ani. Eastern Turkey.

Nicknamed the City of 1001 Churches, the main Ani complex is still partly surrounded by its fortification walls. These walls are thick, with towers and battlements. At it's peak of power, Ani had over 100,000 inhabitants. Ani, Eastern, Turkey.

Churches of the Gorge. Ani, Eastern Turkey.

The churches and fortification of Ani extend down into the deep gorge which runs next to the main center of the city. Bordered on one side by the dramatic Akhourian River gorge and the other side Tsalkotsajour river, Ani had natural fortifications and protections. They extended both the fortifications and the buildings of their city down into the steep Akhourian gorge. Unnamed church in the Akhourian River gorge, Ani. Eastern Turkey.

Mosque of Minuchihir, Ani. Eastern Turkey.

The Mosque of Minuchihir in ancient Ani overlooks the steep Akhourian gorge. It is named after its founder, the emir Minuchihr, who ruled Ani in 1072 AD. Ani is located at the edge of the Akhourian River gorge which marks the modern-day border between Turkey and Armenia. Mosque of Minuchihir, Ani. Eastern Turkey.

Farmland around Ani. Eastern, Turkey.

Farmland and small farming communities have grown up around the ruins of Ani. The land around it is rich with nutrients and perfect for farming. Local beekeepers, herders, and farmers raise their plants and animals in and around these impressive ruins. Herders continue to have access to the site (outside of opening hours) to graze their cattle through the site. The Church of St. George of the Abughamrents and an unnamed church, Ani. Eastern Turkey.

Interior of The Cathedral, Ani. Eastern Turkey.

The largest structure still standing at Ani, the Cathedral was the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church during the Bagratid Armenian kingdom. Today, its great domes is gone, but much of the church still remains including its towering pointed arches and clustered piers. The Cathedral is also known as Also known as Surp Asdvadzadzin (the Church of the Holy Mother of God). The Cathedral, Ani. Eastern Turkey.

Guard Tower outside of Ani. Eastern Turkey.

An abandoned guard tower outside the main wall of Ani stands as a reminder of the Russian-Armenian-Turkish conflict along these borders in recent years. Until, 2013 travelers could not visit this region. The ruins of Ani are still under contention between the Turkish and Armenian governments.An abandoned guard tower outside the main wall of Ani stands as a reminder of the Russian-Armenian-Turkish conflict along these borders in recent years. Until, 2013 travelers could not visit this region. The ruins of Ani are still under contention between the Turkish and Armenian governments. Off in the distance are the hills of Armenia. Ani, Eastern Turkey.