Graffiti removed from Ani’s historic Abughamrent’s Church in Türkiye

Efforts are underway to clean the walls of the Abughamrent’s Church, located within Türkiye’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ani Archaeological Site, which had been defaced by graffiti by thoughtless visitors.

The Ani Archaeological Site, which overlooks the Arpacay River Valley, was a significant cultural and historical hub. Between 884 and 1045, it was under the rule of the Bagratid dynasty, followed by the Byzantine Empire from 1045 to 1064. On August 16, 1064, Seljuk Sultan Alparslan captured the city, marking its inclusion into the Seljuk Empire.

Spanning around 100 hectares, the site holds a rich historical legacy, once home to the Bagratids, Byzantines, Seljuks, Georgians, Mongols, Ilkhanids, Karakoyunlu, Akkoyunlu, and the Ottoman Empire. Christians and Muslims lived side by side in this ancient city, which was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2016. The site also contains remarkable examples of 11th and 12th-century Turkish-Islamic architecture.

Abughamrent’s Church, one of Ani’s monumental structures, had been defaced with graffiti, marring the beauty of the ancient structure. The Ani excavation team, together with expert restorers, have now begun carefully removing the graffiti, restoring the church to its former glory.

Restorers painstakingly scrubbed the walls clean and urged the public to treat these valuable cultural artifacts with respect.

Muhammet Arslan, Head of the Ani Excavations and faculty member at Kafkas University, stated that the 2024 excavation season is continuing at eight locations with the cooperation of Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Kafkas University.

Alongside excavation efforts, the team is also conducting preservation and landscape work on the site’s monumental structures. “We have also incorporated the cleaning of unauthorized writings and drawings found inside Abughamrent’s Church into our restoration program,” said Arslan. The church was built during the Bagratid period at the end of the 10th century.

Arslan explained: “The church has an octagonal exterior design and a four-leaf clover interior plan. Unfortunately, like many cultural sites, it has fallen victim to the global problem of graffiti and vandalism. As the excavation team, we are focusing on removing the writings, symbols, and drawings from the church’s interior walls with our team of restorers.”

‘Everyone must help protect cultural heritage’

Arslan emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage: “These cultural assets belong to all of humanity and, more specifically, to our country. We have a duty to protect this heritage.”

He urged the public, particularly adults, to show sensitivity toward cultural sites and to teach children to value and protect these treasures.

‘Ani belongs to all of us; let’s be responsible’

Calling for awareness among visitors, Arslan added, “Sadly, the defacement of cultural monuments isn’t limited to our country. These artifacts are evidence of our history. We call on everyone to protect Ani’s treasures with the same sense of responsibility, no matter which civilization they belong to. Ani belongs to all of us, and we invite everyone to be vigilant and respectful.”

Restoration efforts at Abughamrent’s Church highlight the critical importance of preserving cultural heritage for future generations. As this historic site undergoes necessary cleaning and repairs, it serves as a reminder that everyone shares the responsibility of protecting our shared history.

By fostering awareness and respect for cultural artifacts, we can ensure that treasures like this continue to inspire and educate all who visit.