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The Fethiye Mosque, also known as the old Ani Cathedral, located within the Ani Archaeological Site in eastern Türkiye’s Kars province, is undergoing a phased restoration. This structure is considered the first “conquest mosque” in Anatolia, marking the site where the first Friday prayer was performed following the Seljuk conquest of Ani in 1064.
The restoration, overseen by Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism in partnership with the World Monuments Fund, is being carried out in three stages. Once completed, the mosque will reopen to visitors.
The Ani Cathedral, originally built in 1010 under the Bagratid Kingdom, was converted into a mosque in line with Seljuk conquest traditions following Sultan Alparslan’s victory in 1064. The building had been commissioned by Queen Katramide, wife of Bagratid Emir Gagik I, and its architect was Tridat, known for restoring the dome of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
Ani Excavation Director Associate Professor Muhammet Arslan noted that the Seljuk sultan personally replaced the cathedral’s cross with a golden crescent and led the first Friday prayer there.
He said: “Sultan Alparslan transformed Ani’s largest church into a mosque and performed the first Friday prayer there, making it the first conquest mosque in Anatolia.”
Arslan highlighted that, historically, there are only two true conquest mosques in Anatolia. “The first is this mosque in Ani,” he stated. “The second is the Hagia Sophia, converted by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror after the 1453 conquest of Istanbul.”
He emphasized the symbolic significance of the mosque, given its role in marking the beginning of Islamic rule in the region. The mosque stands on a flat area above the Arpacay Valley, in the southern part of the Ani ruins.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016, Ani covers approximately 100 hectares and contains significant examples of both Islamic and Christian architecture. In addition to the Fethiye Mosque, the site features the Ebul Menucehr Mosque—regarded as the first Turkish-built mosque in Anatolia—as well as the Seljuk Cemetery and mausoleums.
Christian-era monuments include the Amenaprkitch Church, the Tigran Honents Church, and the Abughamrents Church.
The Fethiye Mosque was built as a domed basilica, a design by architect Tridat, who was summoned to Istanbul to restore the dome of Hagia Sophia before returning to Ani to complete the cathedral.
Arslan stated that the mosque’s restoration is progressing steadily. The second phase is expected to finish within the year, with the final phase scheduled for the years to come. Upon completion, the mosque will reopen for cultural visits.
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