Cathedral of Kars

The Church of the Holy Apostles: A Historic Landmark in the Heart of Kars

🏛️ In the center of Kars stands an ancient church, believed to have been built between 928 and 958. The structure has seen centuries of transformation, serving as a church, a mosque, an Orthodox cathedral, a museum, and even a storage facility.

📜 Historical records from the 11th century confirm its existence, though no inscriptions remain inside the building, as they are thought to have been destroyed by invading Muslim armies during their conquests.

A Building Caught Between Empires & Faiths

🕌 Seljuk Era (11th–16th century)

• After the Seljuks invaded Kars, the church was abandoned and partially buried under earth.
• Around the 16th century, it was excavated and converted into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Armenian territories.

⛪ Russian Occupation & Orthodox Influence (1877–1918)

• When Kars was captured by Russia in 1877, the building was converted into an Orthodox cathedral.
• Porticos (covered walkways) were added to three sides (North, West, and South).
• A storage space for sacred texts and religious items was also built.

🕌 Back to a Mosque (1918)

• When Turkey retook Kars in 1918, the cathedral was reconverted into a mosque.
• The following year (1919), Kars was briefly occupied again, and it was turned into a church once more—but this only lasted a year before Turkey regained control.

From Abandonment to a Museum & Mosque

📦 The Forgotten Years (1920s–1950s)

• After Turkey’s final takeover, the Kemalist government sold the building to the local municipality.
• It was originally intended to be converted into a school, but this never happened.
• In the 1950s, the church was repurposed as a petroleum storage site.

🏛️ Museum Period (1964–1978)

• The building was converted into a museum until a new museum was built in 1978.

🕌 A Mosque Once More (1998–Present)

• In 1998, it was officially re-converted into a mosque, while preserving its original structure and key architectural features.

Why Visit the Church of the Holy Apostles?

✨ This extraordinary structure represents the layered history of Kars, shaped by Armenian, Seljuk, Ottoman, and Russian rule.
📸 Its distinctive domed architecture and unique blend of Christian and Islamic influences make it an architectural masterpiece.
🚶‍♂️ Whether you visit for its religious significance, historical importance, or unique transformation story, this landmark is a must-see in Kars.