Lake Çıldır, located on the border between the states of Kars and Ardahan in northeastern Turkey, witnessed the opening of the ice skating season on Lake Çıldır on Monday via horse-drawn carriages.

Çıldır is the second largest lake in the Eastern Anatolia region, with an estimated area of 123 square kilometers.

In the winter, the temperature drops to 25 degrees below zero, and the surface of the lake freezes completely, making it possible to conduct tourist tours over it by horse-drawn carriages.

As part of the opening of the skiing season on the lake via horse carriages, those in charge of the matter began the first preparations for skiing and transporting the horses and their carriages.

The region witnessed the first skiing sessions on horse carts over the lake, a scene that was very popular with local and foreign tourists.

Arjan Tashdemir, a resident of the area, said that they are ready to serve tourists and visitors coming to the area to enjoy skiing on the lake.

He added that the thickness of the ice above the lake has reached approximately 20-25 centimeters at the present time, which allows skating on it comfortably.

Visitors engage in various activities, such as riding horse-drawn sleighs, or walking on the frozen surface and taking pictures, as well as drinking tea, which keeps them warm.

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The Ani ruins in Kars, eastern Turkey, take visitors on a journey through history dating back centuries.

The archaeological “Ani” located near the Arbaşı area in Kars is one of the unparalleled cultural treasures.

Throughout its long history, Ani embraced more than 23 civilizations, including the Scythians, Persians, Sassanians, Seljuks, and others, until the Muslims conquered it in 643 AD.

This region fell between 884 and 1045 AD under the rule of the Bagratids, and the Byzantines took control of it in 1045, until the Seljuk Sultan “Alp Arslan” conquered it again on August 16, 1064.

In July 2016, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) included the ruins of the city of Ani on the list of World Heritage Sites.

The ruins of “Ani” are called many names, most notably “the city of the world,” “the cradle of civilizations,” “a thousand and one churches,” and “the city with 40 gates.”

Throughout the year, “Ani” is visited by thousands of domestic and foreign visitors.

Hakan Goksal, one of Ani’s visitors, said that the city takes its visitors on an “unforgettable journey through history.”

He expressed his admiration for the ancient city, along with its historical landmarks, most notably the mosque and the church.

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The temperature dropped to 19 below zero in the Turkish state of Kars, which is the lowest degree recorded in eastern Anatolia last night.

The nighttime temperature was 19 in Kars, -17 in Agri, and 10 in Erzurum.

The thickness of the snow in the “Balandokan” ski center in Erzurum was 96 cm.

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The Sari Qamish region of Kars state, eastern Turkey, is witnessing an abundance of giant mushrooms this year, after heavy rains.

The giant white mycelium that spreads in the forest of the area, which is located at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level, raises the astonishment of the citizens because of its large size.

Citizen Chennai Wanli said that not many mushrooms appeared in the area due to the drought.

He added that the region witnessed prolonged rainfall, which led to an abundance of giant mushrooms.

He added that he had never seen breakfast of this size and number before, adding that he had collected many of them.

In turn, Hassan Jallad explained that he works in collecting breakfast in the area and that he is seeing a giant breakfast of this size for the first time.

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