Akdamar Island in Lake Van is one of the most popular destinations in eastern Turkey not only for its natural beauty in spring but also for having one of the best examples of Armenian architecture in the region called Akdamar Church.
Akdamar, one of the four islands on Lake Van in eastern Anatolia, is a unique area of Turkey. The blossoming almond trees paint the island pink and white, creating a romantic atmosphere for locals and visitors alike. Situated in the middle of the turquoise blue Lake Van, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and blossoming almond trees, Akdamar Island offers a remarkable view that visitors can’t get enough of. However, the natural beauty that sprouts on the islands is not the only reason why Akdamar is on the to-see list of many people around the world. The Armenian Orthodox Church, Akdamar, also known as the Church of the Holy Cross, is a real gem of the area.
The island and its surrounding provinces were once ruled by the Kingdom of Vaspurakan as an Abbasid vassal during the Middle Ages. In the 10th century, between 915 and 921, the Armenian King Gagik I Ardzruni commissioned Bishop Manuel, one of the greatest Armenian architects in history, to build a church on the island, which is believed to contain a piece of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
The church is built in a style called the Hripsime type, in reference to the Hripsime church in Vagharshapat. The building is erected in the form of a four-petal clover-like cross plan on volcanic tuff. Since the church is built of volcanic stones found in the area, it has a colorful facade. On its western wall is a depiction of King Gagik presenting a model church to Jesus, while in the middle of the eastern wall is the Abbasid Caliph Muktadir. Mary with the baby Jesus, the expulsion of Adam and Eve from heaven, David fighting Goliath, Samson killing a Philistine, three young Hebrews, Daniel in the lions' den are other outstanding figurative scenes depicted on the facades of the church.
What sets Akdamar Church apart from other Armenian Orthodox churches are the frescoes that adorn the interior. The frescoes depict the story of creation and scenes from the life of Christ. Most of the frescoes are still visible, and some are well preserved, but in other places they are badly damaged.
In addition to its architectural features, Akdamar Church also stands out for its cultural features, which led to its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2015. The Akdamar Church building is not only a relic of Armenian Orthodoxy and the pinnacle of Armenian art, but also reflects the cultural diversity of eastern Anatolia and the Kingdom of Vaspurakan. The church building is decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible and the Old Testament, as well as elements of Islamic art with geometric and floral motifs.
Although the church is one of the most important religious buildings in the region, it was abandoned following the 1915 incidents during World War I, when hundreds of thousands of Armenians and Turks were killed. Earthquakes and neglect left the building largely abandoned until the Ministry of Culture and Tourism began restoration in 2005, approving a 4 billion lira budget for a two-year project involving several architects, engineers, and archaeologists. However, prior to the major restoration, the Turkish government carried out minor renovations so that the church was ready for its first service in 95 years in 2010. Following the first mass, services were held annually until 2015, but were stopped due to terrorist threats from the PKK. Services were restarted in 2018 with the participation of Armenians from Turkey, as well as Armenia and around the world, and are expected to be held annually from then on.
