Turkey Converts Ancient Armenian Cathedral of Ani into Mosque

The Cathedral of Ani, one of the greatest symbols of Armenian history, is being turned into a mosque by Turkish authorities after renovation—stripping away centuries of Armenian identity and cultural heritage. Located in present-day Turkey’s Kars Province, Ani was once the capital of the Armenian Kingdom and a thriving center of Christian civilization. Now, with no mention of its Armenian roots, this medieval cathedral is being renamed and repurposed as the "Fethiye Mosque."

This decision, officially reported by Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, comes as part of a restoration effort at the Ani archaeological site—an area recognized by UNESCO  as a World Cultural Heritage Site. The renovation, currently in its second phase, is expected to be completed this year. The head of excavations, Muhammet Arslan, confirmed that the cathedral will function as a mosque following restoration.

Yet nowhere in the official reports is Ani acknowledged as Armenian. The original builders of the cathedral are barely mentioned. The only hint at its past is a note that the architect was Trdat—an Armenian architect who also restored the dome of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople over a thousand years ago. But Trdat’s Armenian identity, like Ani’s, is being erased in favor of Turkey’s state narrative.

The True Story of Ani: Armenia’s Medieval Capital

Ani was not just another ancient city. It was Armenia’s pride—a walled capital built by the Bagratid Dynasty, thriving with churches, royal palaces, bridges, and stone-carved art. Often called the "City of 1001 Churches," Ani once housed over 100,000 people. It became a hub of faith, commerce, and architecture between the 10th and 11th centuries.

The Cathedral of Ani, or the Church of the Holy Mother of God, was started in 989 by King Smbat II and completed by Queen Katramide in 1001. Designed by Trdat, it remains one of the greatest achievements of medieval Armenian architecture. Its stone dome, tall arches, and detailed carvings are distinctly Armenian.

Other historic Armenian churches within Ani’s 100-hectare archaeological zone include the Church of the Redeemer, the Church of Tigran Honents, and the Church of St. Gregory of Abughamrents. These structures were built by Armenian kings, merchants, and bishops—people whose names and faith are now being wiped from the narrative.

Ani’s glory began to fade after King Gagik I’s death in 1020. Civil strife, foreign invasions, and natural disasters led to its gradual decline. The Byzantines took over in 1045, and the city fell to the Seljuk Turks in 1064. Later it passed through the hands of the Mongols and other regional powers. Though the Zakarid Armenians briefly revived Ani in the 12th century, it never returned to its former glory.

By the 16th century, the Ottomans had taken control. And by the 1800s, Ani was nearly deserted, earning the name “The City of Ghosts.” Still, its churches stood tall—silent witnesses to the greatness that once was.

For a short time between 1918 and 1920, Ani was part of the First Republic of Armenia. But Turkish military advances during the fall of that republic pushed the Armenian border away from Ani. The site was absorbed into modern-day Turkey after 1920, and it has remained outside Armenia’s borders ever since.

Cultural Erasure Through Conversion

Converting the Cathedral of Ani into a mosque is not just a renovation project—it is cultural erasure. The transformation removes the Armenian Christian identity from a sacred space built by Armenians for the Armenian people.

Despite Ani’s UNESCO World Heritage status, the restoration project does not include honest historical interpretation. Turkish authorities now refer to the church as the "Fethiye Mosque" without mentioning it was built by an Armenian king, for an Armenian kingdom, in an Armenian capital.

Even though the original architecture, inscriptions, and design reflect Armenian Christianity, the official story is being rewritten. Instead of educating visitors about Armenian civilization, this decision misrepresents Ani’s history and promotes a narrative of Turkish ownership.

Why This Matters

Ani’s story is not just about a church being turned into a mosque. It is about the ongoing loss of Armenian cultural heritage in its historic homeland. After the 1915 Armenian Genocide, many of Armenia’s ancient churches and towns were destroyed or abandoned. Others, like the Cathedral of Ani, are being repurposed to fit new state agendas.

This is part of a wider pattern of rewriting the past. As Armenian churches, manuscripts, and monuments vanish or are misrepresented in neighboring countries, the global Armenian community is raising concerns. For Armenians in the diaspora and in Armenia, Ani is not just ruins—it is a sacred legacy.

When Ani Cathedral becomes a mosque, it is not simply a change of function. It is a deliberate step in erasing the deep Armenian roots of Western Armenia. The international community must recognize this for what it is—not just restoration, but historical revisionism.

Preserving heritage means honoring truth. Ani is Armenian. And that truth must not be forgotten.

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