Located in Eastern Anatolia at an altitude of 1,750 meters (5,741 feet), Kars has a rich history and played a significant role in Turkish history. The town was a focal point of the Turkish-Russian War between 1877-1878 and fell under Russian rule for about 40 years as a result of the war. As a result, Kars' architecture bears traces of Russian influence. Visitors can explore ruins from the Seljuk fortress, which dates back to the 12th century.
The Havariler Museum is a church that dates back to the 10th century and features a blend of eclectic architectural styles. The exterior drum of its dome is adorned with twelve statues representing apostles in stiff poses from the time it was built.
Ani is an important archaeological site on the border of modern-day Armenia and Turkey, featuring Armenian churches dating back over 1000 years.