August 1, 2007 - 14:35 AMT
Photos of Ani temples exhibited in Georgia
A photo exhibition titled "Ani - Anisi - crossroad of sixteen civilizations" opened in the Caucasian Home, the center of cultural relationship in Tbilisi. The event was initiated by the center and the Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Well-known photographers Yuri Mechitov and Maya Deysadze displayed 50 best of 300 pictures of the ruins of Ani, one of the capitals of ancient Armenia that has been closed for visitors till recently, Blagovest-info reports.

Ani's rapid development started in 961 when the city became the capital of Bagratid Armenia and a trade crossroad between the Byzantium, Arab states, South Russia, Central Asia and China. The population of the city totaled no less than 100 thousand people. Ani was also known as the "city of 1001 churches" because of the great number of grand temples.