At a crucial crossroads of medieval Armenia, between some of the major historic capitals of the nation, stands what was once one of the grandest cathedrals in all of Armenia - the seventh century Talin Cathedral. Today, partly due to regional shifts of power, unfavorable border lines, and natural disasters, it stands largely forgotten. The town of Talin, one of the oldest in the province, is largely ignored as well. Walking amongst the orange and brown pillars of the cathedral today, a first impression is it’s grand size. Second is the realization that its roof is completely collapsed.

In 1840, an earthquake sent the part of the cathedral in pieces, and little restoration effort have been put to restore it to its former splendor. The Talin Cathedral deserves its place on the map as one of the first examples of a domed basilica in Armenia and a predecesor to the splendor of the city of Ani 30 kilometers to the west and also lying in ruins. However, unlike Ani, the Talin Cathedral still sits in the modern borders of Armenia.