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The site, now in the North-East of Turkey, for the very special topography which provided ideal condition for settlement and defence, was inhabited countinuosly since prehistoric times and occupied by princely residences from the early centuries of the Christian era. In the period spanning the year 1000 the city of Ani took on the characteristics of a great urban center, architecturally defined in all its parts and was chosen as the religious and political capital of the whole country governed by the Bagratids. Ani changed hands many times before declining and being abandoned once and for all in the 16th century.
?The remains of the outstanding structures belonging to the flourishing period testify to a spectacular architectural development resulting for the blend of eastern and western tradition and likely to have influenced the history of european architecture. With the passing of time it has retained its original layout and allthough numerous buildings still survive, they are in a lamentable condition.
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