Akdamar

Akdamar Review

On the tranquil, uninhabited islet of Akdamar, among the wild olive and almond trees, stand the scant remains of a monastery that include the truly splendid Church of the Holy Cross. Built in AD 921 by an Armenian king, Gagik Artzruni of Vaspurakan, the compound was originally part of a palace, but was later converted to a monastery. Incredible high-relief carvings on the exterior make the church one of the most enchanted spots in Turkey. Much of the Old Testament is told here: Look for Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, and Jonah and the whale. Along the top is a frieze of running animals; another frieze shows a vineyard where laborers work the fields and women dance with bears; and, of course, King Gagik, almost hidden above the entrance, is depicted, offering his church to Christ. The wall paintings in the interior of the church underwent an extensive restoration in 2006 and after much contraversy a cross was placed on the dome in 2010. The monastery operated until WWI, and since 2010 annual religious services have been allowed. To reach Akdamar from Van, follow Route 300 to Gevas, which is about 20 mi away. Just past Gevas, you'll see ferries waiting at the well marked landing to collect the required number of passengers—between 10 and 15—for the 20-minute ride. Normally it costs is 7 TL per person but if there aren't enough passengers the round-trip is 100 TL.