Ani - Church of Our Savior

(Local Name: Keseli Kilise) The Keseli Kilise or Church of Our Savior in Ani was begun in 1036. Its founders, the Pahlavuni family, decreed that prayers should be offered there until Christ's second coming. A segment on the east side of the centrally-planned, circular building with eight apses, has collapsed. The 13th century paintings adorning the interior can still be made out despite having been whitewashed over. The elegantly ornamented exterior has blind arcading, originally comprising nineteen arches.