Anisi Cathedral

Anisi Cathedral

It is also known as the Church of the Mother of God of Anis. It was built in 989-1001 according to the design of the architect of the Bagratuni court, Trdat, and for almost half a century was the residence of the Catholicos, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Currently, the temple is partially destroyed.

The temple, built in the eastern part of Anis, was one of the city's most important landmarks. Its construction began in 989 during the reign of Smbat II and was completed in 1001 by Gagik I's wife, Katranides II.

In 1064, after the Seljuk conquest of Anis, the church was converted into a mosque. Later it was returned to the Armenian Church. It was finally damaged by the earthquake of 1319, when its conical dome collapsed. After that, Anis was gradually abandoned and the church ceased to function. The northwestern corner of the church was severely damaged by the 1988 Spitak earthquake.