Turkey: Cathedral of Holy Cross on Akdamar Island

The largest lake in Turkey, Lake Van, has a small island off the southern shore, Akdamar Island, which holds one of the biggest historic treasures in the Eastern Turkey – the Armenian Cathedral of Holy Cross. The classic-style Armenian church was built by King Gagik Artzruni during his reign over the Armenian Kingdom of Vaspurkan between 915-926 out of pink volcanic tufa rock and stands above the blue and cold water of the lake in a majestic panorama. The church is one of the most important churches in Awnian history and was the seat of the Catholicos of All Armenians even under the Ottoman Empire until 1915 (when during the Armenian genocide it was looted, vandalized, and nearly destroyed). It was restored in 2005. Architecturally, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross is unique in having elaborate and extensive bas-relief carvings of biblical scenes adorning its external walls, these are considered best-preserved and prime examples of the ancient Armenian artwork in the world.
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