Turkey to Convert 10th-Century Armenian Cathedral into Mosque

Ani Cathedral. Photo: bianet.org

ANI — Turkish authorities plan to convert the 10th-century Cathedral of Ani, one of the most significant monuments of Armenian Christian heritage, into a mosque, according to archaeologist Muhammet Arslan. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from experts who say the move politicizes cultural heritage and distorts historical architecture.

Built in the medieval Armenian city of Ani in eastern Turkey, the cathedral is listed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as a restoration project, not a mosque. Critics, including architect Alin Pontioglou and art historian Şerif Yaşar, argue the site lacks credible evidence of historic mosque use and warn the change mirrors Turkey’s controversial conversions of Hagia Sophia and the Chora Monastery. International observers fear the move could damage interfaith respect and repeat past cultural conflicts.

Arslan argues that the cathedral was converted into a mosque after the Seljuk conquest of Ani under Sultan Alp Arslan. He said that the first Friday prayer in Anatolia was held at the site, and that the cross on the dome was removed and replaced with a golden crescent.

Architectural and historical experts such as Pontioglou disagree, saying that there is no historical evidence for what Arslan is asserting. 

“According to most sources, Alp Arslan captured the city, but the cathedral remained a Christian place of worship,” Pontioglou said.

Yaşar, who is the head of Turkey’s Association of Art History, said the move is political as there is no necessity for a mosque or a worshiping community to utilize it. He said that the conversion of the cathedral into a mosque centuries later “is meaningless and turns a universal cultural site into a tool of political symbolism. 

Adding Islamic architectural elements also distort the original intent and integrity of the site, he said.

“This repeats the same pattern Turkey followed when it converted Hagia Sophia and the Chora Monastery into mosques. Cultural heritage is no longer being protected – it is being used for political ends.”

Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque in 2020 against UNESCO recommendations and despite protests from the global community.

Previously, UOJ reported that the Turkish president had declared Hagia Sophia would remain a mosque “forever, by the will of Allah.”

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