Article Ahtamar
A trip to the Armenian Church on the island of Ahtamar
Ahtamar is a small island on Lake Van with an area of 70 hectares located 3 km from the south coast and 18 km from the town of Van. One of the most beautiful Armenian churches, the Holy Cross lies right here. The Armenian king Gagik chose it as his seat in the first half of the 10th century. In the 11th century, the island became the seat of Catholicism, the head of the Armenian Church and also a place of pilgrimage for Armenians. The genocide in 1915 forced the Armenians to leave the island and the church became the target of vandals. Finally, the church was restored in 2005 and 2006
Dock
The shortest way to get to the island is to reach the port near the town of Dokuzagac. Boats start sailing at 10 am if they have enough passengers.
Road from the port
The port is just off the main road to Armenia on one side and Nemrut Dagi on the other
Road to the island
From the nave you can watch the silhouette of the church
Church of the Holy Cross
The dominant feature of the church of King Gagik of Armenia
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