Zoroastrian Temple


This ruined temple is thought to have been built in the 4th century AD, during a period of Sassanian influence from Persia. It might have been converted into a Christian chapel afterwards. The remains consist of four squat circular columns.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Kervansaray

0.07 MILES

The Church of the Holy Apostles (Arak Elots Kilisesi) dates from 1031, but after the Seljuks took the city in 1064 they added a gateway with a fine dome…

2. Ebu'l Muammeran Camii

0.14 MILES

The most substantial remnant of this 11th-century mosque is its minaret, now lying on its side with the spiral stairs inside clearly visible. It was…

3. Church of Gagkashen

0.14 MILES

Even though the ruins of this once-enormous church are little more than its circular base and a jumble of column sections within, it is enough to grasp…

4. Arslan Kapısı

0.18 MILES

Just inside the Ani ruins is the sturdy Arslan Kapısı (or Aslan Kapısı – Lion Gate). Depending on which guide you believe, it was named after Alp Arslan,…

5. Ani

0.19 MILES

The ruins of Ani, 45km east of Kars, are an absolute must-see. Visitors enter through gigantic fortress walls that look like they fell off a crusader…

6. Cave Church

0.2 MILES

Dozens of caves cut into in the cliff-like sides of Ani Plateau were made into chapels and hermit cells. The most easily accessible is this partly…

7. Church of Grigor Pahlavuny

0.21 MILES

A well-preserved central landmark in the heart of the Ani plateau, this rotunda-shaped church with a conical roof was built in about 980 for the wealthy…

8. Seljuk Palace

0.23 MILES

Built into the western tip of Ani's defensive walls, this rectilinear palace has been so painstakingly over-restored that it looks quite out of place,…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "turkey/ani/attractions/zoroastrian-temple/a/poi-sig/1006602/1004553",
      "position": "superzone"
    }