Ani Cathedral, located in the Ani archaeological site, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is under reconstruction. This was reported by ermenihaber.am.
Turkish state news agency Anadolu reports that after the reconstruction, Ani Cathedral will function as a mosque.
It is not mentioned at all that this medieval city and church are Armenian. Ani Cathedral is presented as a Fethiye mosque. However, it is also mentioned that the architect of the temple is Trdat.
“We also know Trdat as the architect who restored the dome of the Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul. Trdat was invited from Ani to Istanbul, restored the dome of Hagia Sophia, then returned to Ani and completed this structure,” says Muhammed Arslan, head of excavations at the Ani archaeological site.
Verzhnis also said that the restoration of the Ani Cathedral is being carried out in 3 stages in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey and the World Monuments Fund. This year, the work of the 2nd stage is planned to be completed.
It should be noted that the ruins of Ani, which occupy an area of about 100 hectares, also include the Amenaprkich Church, the Tigran Honents Church and the Abugamrents Church of St. Grigor.
The Church of the Holy Mother of God of Ani or the Mother Cathedral was built in the 10th century. The construction was started by the Armenian King Smbat II Bagratuni in 989 and completed by the Armenian Queen Katramida in 1001.