Ani Ruins — Attraction in Kars Merkez

The ruins are awesome and photographs really can’t do the place justice. Walking the ruins is a profound experience and an absolute must.

However, the site itself and the lack of basic decency is depressing and disheartening.

From the start, the site has discriminatory pricing for foreign tourists, staff speak no English (keep in mind it’s a world heritage site, unesco supported etc.). Men are pushing to get visitors to spend more on golf buggies, audio guides extra on top etc. Staff at the entrance rude and hostile.

Once in the ruins, the lack of care is shocking. Litter is strewn everywhere - stuffed into the ruins, all over the floor etc. bins are overflowing and it’s clear no staff bother to clean the place.

Restoration work is a distortion of language.. in one church I saw a column supported by a red steel supporting beam - the next column along, the supporting beam had fallen onto the floor. Bonkers.

As other reviewers point out, there’s animal dung all over the place, price gouging at the cafe, unsanitary toilet facilities, the lot. No staff are present around the ruins themselves, which could express the scale of graffiti.

Despite the price and financial support from international organisations there’s no museum and the only context you’ll get will be from information boards that push an agenda at the expense of clear history.

As an aside, it’s baffling that there’s no official shuttle bus to Kars, and the entire site relies on a private tourist bus, that you can only discover via tripadvisor forums.

Sincerely hope action is taken in the near future, otherwise doubt future generations will be able to enjoy the experience of this...

​Ani is one of the most incredible places I've ever visited. It's an ancient city with a rich and complex history that you can feel as you walk through the ruins. Often called "the City of 1001 Churches," Ani was a major capital of the Bagratid Armenian kingdom and a key stop on the Silk Road in the 10th and 11th centuries. It was a thriving city with a population of over 100,000 at its peak, and you can see that grandeur in the remains of its impressive churches, mosques, and city walls. ​It's a shame that for many years, stones from the city were sold off, so much of its former glory is gone. But it's great to see that restoration work has started in recent years, and they are working to repair the large structures that are still standing. ​What makes the site so special is not just the history, but the location. Ani is situated on a plateau, and on one side, there's a deep, dramatic canyon formed by the Arpaçay River, which separates Turkey and Armenia. The view is absolutely breathtaking, with the ruined buildings perched right on the edge of the gorge. Walking around and seeing the blend of nature and history is truly a magical experience. ​The stone carvings and architectural details on the remaining buildings are stunning. You can spend hours just looking at the craftsmanship. Despite being in ruins, Ani is a deeply moving and beautiful place that everyone should see. It's a powerful reminder of how civilizations rise and fall, and it's a window into a fascinating...

I went to Ani by public bus on May 10. The bus started running again on Saturday, May 6. It leaves at 9am from the intersection of Faikbey Cd. and Gazi Ahmet Muhtar Paşa Cd. [If you search google maps for "Number One Internet Cafe, Kars", that's where the bus leaves from. If that doesn't work, search for "Simit Sarayi."] It's 40 lira for a return bus ticket. You pay at the end, upon your return to Kars. Entrance to Ani is 100 lira and you can get an audio guide for 40 lira more. I didn't get the audio guide so I can't say if it's any good. The bus left Ani at 12.45pm to return to Kars. The trip is just under an hour each way. The ruins are spectacular and well worth a visit. It was a beautiful sunny day so that helped. Wear hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes if you've got them. If you don't, you might not want to venture far from the main paths. I found that 2 hrs 45 mins was plenty of time to see almost everything. There were only four of us on the bus. Myself, an Italian guy, and two young Turkish women. Some additional people (6-8 more) arrived by car, but the place is huge and it felt like I had it to myself. There is some signage in English, but I recommend doing research prior to your visit and/or taking your own guide-book. I got one from Adem, my wonderful Airbnb host in Kars. Honestly, though, you could easily enjoy Ani without knowing too much of the historical detail and background. Also, remember to take water and a jacket (rain clouds seem to sweep up suddenly...