Syria

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Heresson
The views from the road from Van to Dogubayazit were amazing, but I had to shot pictures from the bus, so they are not that good.

Wow

[Heresson]

a cross carving from Ani - today in Turkey over Armenian boarder, once a capital of Armenia. On UNESCO list.
Funny that in an arabic chronicle it appeared just as I was approaching Kars next to which it is located, and the chronicle mentioned in the same point an earthquake in Constantinople - which was mentioned in description of Ani in a tourist guide, as armenian architect from Ani rebuilt Hagia Sofia from the damages.

[Heresson]

a church in Ani, and fortifications in the background

[Heresson]

Church of St Gregory (St Gregory the illuminator brought Christianity to Armenia, which converted to it as the first state (not counting Osroene according to St Abgar legend), even before Rome.

[Heresson]

Dome of it. There were nice paintings inside

[Heresson]

The cathedral. Unfortunatelly, the dome collapsed - I think around a century ago.

I forgot - interesting that in description of Ani, an Armenian capital, the Turks failed to mention Armenia or Armenians at all

[Heresson]

forgot the attachement

[Heresson]

The valley and the remains of the castle on the right

[Heresson]

Inside the cathedral

[Heresson]

Part of the ceiling in the mosque

[Heresson]

the mosque, the cathedral and the already shown church in line

[Heresson]

another church

[Heresson]

there are a lot of caves there, and also a church carved in a rock

[Heresson]

fortifications from inside

There were also other buildings, but I am posting too many pics of Ani already

[Heresson]

fortifications from outside