MANUCHEYR MOSQUE
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Historic preservation project of Manucheyr Mosque (650 sqm)

Ani Archaeological Site, Kars - Turkey

Client/Funding Agency: Ministry of Culture and Tourism

June-September 2006, works completed in 2009

Project: The medieval city Ani flourished in the 10th Century when the famous trade route, known as Silk Road, moved to the North. Armenians, Georgians, Kurds and Turks ruled and contributed to the city until a disastrous earthquake in 1319. It was finally abandoned following the Mongolian invasion in 1331 together with development of new trade routes.

Ebul Manucheyr Mosque (with its 25 meters high octagonal minaret) is believed the first mosque in Anatolia. The structure sits on the old walls of Ashot from 10th Century. It should have been constructed, or modified sometime after Ani was conquered by Alpaslan in 1064 and handed to Ebul Manucheyr.  

The aim of the conservation project is to prevent the ongoing decay; structurally stabilize & consolidate the monument besides architectural documentation, research and analyses. Our proposal brings various intervention phases besides design of temporary shelter for the exposed roofs, research and continuous monitoring.  

Services rendered: 3D Laser Scanning-Survey, documenting, historical research, various analyses; design, working drawings, details, engineering drawings.