The first rock mosque has been unearthed at the Ani Archaeological Site

The excavation and conservation work carried out at 8 points in the Kars Ani Archaeological Site has revealed what is believed to be the first rock mosque built by Turks in Anatolia, located in the area known as the Divin Gate Rock Mosque.

The first rock mosque in Anatolia, uncovered during the excavation works at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ani Archaeological Site, has been opened and added to Kars tourism.

A ceremony was held for the opening of the rock mosque at the Ani Archaeological Site. The ceremony began with the recitation of the Quran. Following this, the mosque was inaugurated by Governor Ziya Polat, Mayor Prof. Dr. Ötüken Senger, Deputy Rector Prof. Dr. Selçuk Ural, Chair of the Ani Excavation Board Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Arslan, Provincial Police Chief Mehmet Ömür Saka, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Colonel Fatih Cemal Kiper, Provincial Culture Director Hayrettin Çetin, and guests.

“We reunited with humanity after a thousand years”

Speaking at the opening of the rock mosque, Ani Archaeological Site Excavation President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Arslan said, “These caves were initially built for shelter purposes. They were constructed as residences. However, over time, depending on need, they sometimes became graves, sometimes chapels, and sometimes transformed into a mosque. Here, through our excavation, we have unearthed an area that reunites nature and humanity after a thousand years, and it has become one of the important places that witness Ani’s ancient times. We believe there are 8 structures here that were built as residences, but one of them, the one behind me, was likely transformed into a chapel during the Bağratlı period and turned into a mosque with the addition of a mihrab on the qibla wall following the Seljuk conquest in 1064. Therefore, we are facing the first mosque built by Turks in Anatolia.”

“We have brought the first mosque in Anatolia to tourism”

Kars Governor Ziya Polat subsequently stated, “Seeing this mosque within Ani, we prioritized it. We thought that another first would befit the city of firsts. Our friends have been working here for 1.5 months to bring the first mosque of Turks in Anatolia to tourism and to contribute to Turkish history. We witness this. The emergence of the marbles, the creation of the marbles, the cleaning and maintenance of the caves, and the unveiling of this area are the results of great effort. I thank everyone who contributed.”

The unveiled rock mosque was visited by the guests. Ani Excavation President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Arslan provided information about the rock mosque and the accompanying caves to the guests.

With the unveiling of the rock mosque, visitors to the Ani Archaeological Site have gained a new route as excavation works continue.