Ani Historical Halaskar (St. Prkich) Church

History and General Information / Local Legends and Folklore The historical Halaskar Church (St. Prkich / Savior Church) is the most dramatic, fascinating and memorable monumental structure of the UNESCO World Heritage Ani Archaeological Site. Bagratli King III. It was brought from Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, by Prince Ablğarib Pahlavuni in 1035, during the Sembat period, and was brought to Hz. It was built to preserve a piece of the real cross on which Jesus was crucified. The church, whose circular exterior has 19 corners and whose interior is covered with a magnificent central dome with 8 apses, was split vertically into two in the middle as a result of a severe lightning strike in 1957. The western half of the building, whose eastern half was completely destroyed, and its huge dome drum remained standing as if time had frozen, and became popularly known as the 'Ruined Church' or 'Felt Church'. According to legend, thanks to the protective power of the holy cross relic hidden in the dome of the church, the surviving half of the structure has continued to defy the most severe Caucasian storms and earthquakes for almost a century. Geographical Structure, Altitude and Natural Features It is located within the borders of Kars Merkez Ocaklı Village, at an altitude of approximately 1,460 meters, on the western plateau of the deep Arpaçay Canyon, which draws the Türkiye-Armenia border. It has a unique historical landscape in the middle of the steppe plateau, surrounded by walls and valleys built of volcanic tuff stones. Visiting Hours, Days and Entrance Fees