The Cathedral of Mren stands in the Digor District of Kars in Turkey, near the Armenian border, about one mile (1.5 kilometers) west of the Akhurian River. It sits in an abandoned medieval town site, also called Mren. David Saharuni, an Armenian ally of the Byzantine emperor Heraclius, built it to commemorate Heraclius's entry into Jerusalem in 628. Work started in 631 and was completed in 639.
It is an Armenian domed basilica with three naves, and the largest surviving domed basilica from seventh-century Armenian architecture. The west facade carries an inscription naming Theodosius II as Prince of Armenia and Syria. Frescoes show Heraclius returning the True Cross, dismounted and in plain clothing.
The south wall collapsed in 2008. Because of its remote location and the closed border, visits require rare Turkish government permission.
Comments