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Akdamar Island
Akdamar Island (also known as Ahktamar, Aghtamar, and Aght'amar; Armenian: ±²©¡´¡) is a small island in Lake Van in eastern Turkey, about 0.7 sq. km. in size, situated about 3km from the shoreline. Akdamar is the current official Turkish spelling of the island's name; the local pronunciation is still the original "Aghtamar". At the western end of the island a hard, grey, limestone cliff rises 80 m. about the waters (1,912 m above sea level). The island declines to the east to a level site where a spring provides ample water. It is the home to a 10th century Armenian church, known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross (915-921), and was the seat of an Armenian Catholicos from 1116 to 1895.Top photos chosen by u all:
Aghtamar Island - Palatine Cathedral of the Holy Cross
Made by Traces in the Sand
After a sunset visit to Aghtamar island, we stayed overnight on the eastern shore, and returned to the island on the first boat of the day. Set against a deep blue sky, the pink sandstone of the church is wonderful. Although on an island, it's actually quite difficult capturing the church set against the water, so I was quite happy that in this shot I was able to set the church against the water of Lake Van and the mountains beyond. During his reign, King Gagik I (908-943/944) of the Armenian kingdom of Vaspurakan chose to reside on Akdamar Island, where he founded a settlement; erected a large, square palace; laid out streets, gardens, and orchards; and planted trees and designed areas of recreation for himself and his court. The only surviving structure from that period is the Palatine Cathedral of the Holy Cross. It was built of pink sandstone by the architect monk Manuel during the years 915-921, with an interior measuring 14.80m by 11.5m and the dome reaching 20.40m above ground. In later centuries, and until 1915, it formed part of a monastic complex, the ruins of which can still be seen to the south of the church. Between 1116 and 1895 Akdamar Island was the location of the Armenian Catholicosate of Aghtamar. Khachatur III, who died in 1895, was the last Catholicos of Aghtamar. In 1915, the monks of Aghtamar were massacred, the cathedral looted, and the monastic buildings destroyed. The architecture of the church is based on a form that had been developed in Armenia several centuries earlier; the best-known example being that of the 7th century St. Hripsime church in Echmiadzin, incorporating a dome with a conical roof. The unique importance of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross comes from the extensive array of bas-relief carving of mostly biblical scenes that adorn its external walls. The meanings of these reliefs have been the subject of much and varied interpretation. Not all of this speculation has been produced in good faith - for example, Turkish sources stress alleged Islamic and Turkic influences behind the content of the reliefs and minimise native Armenian influences. Some scholars assert that the friezes parallel contemporary motifs found in Umayyad art - such as a turbaned prince, Arab styles of dress, wine imagery; allusions to royal Sassanian imagery are also present. Between May 2005 and October 2006, the church underwent a controversial[4] restoration program. The restoration had a reported budget of 2 million New Turkish Lira (approximately 1.4 million USD) and was financed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture. Various Armenian religious leaders, including Catholicoi Karekin II of All Armenians and Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia, boycotted the event due to the church's being reopened as a secular museum. Controversy surrounds the issue of whether a cross, which was on top of the dome until 1915, should be replaced. Some Armenians say that the renovation will not be finished until the cross is placed to complete it, and that they should be able to hold the divine liturgy there at least once a year. Turkish officials say it would not be appropriate to have a cross on or hold a mass in what is now a secular museum. Hürriyet columnist Cengiz Çandar asserted that the attitude of Turkish authorities is a move to deprive Aghtamar of its Armenian past. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akdamar_Island
Aghtamar Island - Paletine Cathedral of the Holy Cross - Nave & Dome
Made by Traces in the Sand
The nave and the dome of the Paletine Cathedral. You can see the restored frescoes adorning the walls, though much was damaged beyond repair during WW1 and the subsequent near century of neglect. During his reign, King Gagik I (908-943/944) of the Armenian kingdom of Vaspurakan chose to reside on Akdamar Island, where he founded a settlement; erected a large, square palace; laid out streets, gardens, and orchards; and planted trees and designed areas of recreation for himself and his court. The only surviving structure from that period is the Palatine Cathedral of the Holy Cross. It was built of pink sandstone by the architect monk Manuel during the years 915-921, with an interior measuring 14.80m by 11.5m and the dome reaching 20.40m above ground. In later centuries, and until 1915, it formed part of a monastic complex, the ruins of which can still be seen to the south of the church. Between 1116 and 1895 Akdamar Island was the location of the Armenian Catholicosate of Aghtamar. Khachatur III, who died in 1895, was the last Catholicos of Aghtamar. In 1915, the monks of Aghtamar were massacred, the cathedral looted, and the monastic buildings destroyed. The architecture of the church is based on a form that had been developed in Armenia several centuries earlier; the best-known example being that of the 7th century St. Hripsime church in Echmiadzin, incorporating a dome with a conical roof. The unique importance of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross comes from the extensive array of bas-relief carving of mostly biblical scenes that adorn its external walls. The meanings of these reliefs have been the subject of much and varied interpretation. Not all of this speculation has been produced in good faith - for example, Turkish sources stress alleged Islamic and Turkic influences behind the content of the reliefs and minimise native Armenian influences. Some scholars assert that the friezes parallel contemporary motifs found in Umayyad art - such as a turbaned prince, Arab styles of dress, wine imagery; allusions to royal Sassanian imagery are also present. Between May 2005 and October 2006, the church underwent a controversial[4] restoration program. The restoration had a reported budget of 2 million New Turkish Lira (approximately 1.4 million USD) and was financed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture. Various Armenian religious leaders, including Catholicoi Karekin II of All Armenians and Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia, boycotted the event due to the church's being reopened as a secular museum. Controversy surrounds the issue of whether a cross, which was on top of the dome until 1915, should be replaced. Some Armenians say that the renovation will not be finished until the cross is placed to complete it, and that they should be able to hold the divine liturgy there at least once a year. Turkish officials say it would not be appropriate to have a cross on or hold a mass in what is now a secular museum. Hürriyet columnist Cengiz Çandar asserted that the attitude of Turkish authorities is a move to deprive Aghtamar of its Armenian past. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akdamar_Island
Aghtamar Island - Palatine Cathedral of the Holy Cross
Made by Traces in the Sand
The cathedral of Aghtamar, set against the glow of the sunset. We had got the last boat out to the island, so the sun was just setting as we reached the church. During his reign, King Gagik I (908-943/944) of the Armenian kingdom of Vaspurakan chose to reside on Akdamar Island, where he founded a settlement; erected a large, square palace; laid out streets, gardens, and orchards; and planted trees and designed areas of recreation for himself and his court. The only surviving structure from that period is the Palatine Cathedral of the Holy Cross. It was built of pink sandstone by the architect monk Manuel during the years 915-921, with an interior measuring 14.80m by 11.5m and the dome reaching 20.40m above ground. In later centuries, and until 1915, it formed part of a monastic complex, the ruins of which can still be seen to the south of the church. Between 1116 and 1895 Akdamar Island was the location of the Armenian Catholicosate of Aghtamar. Khachatur III, who died in 1895, was the last Catholicos of Aghtamar. In 1915, the monks of Aghtamar were massacred, the cathedral looted, and the monastic buildings destroyed. The architecture of the church is based on a form that had been developed in Armenia several centuries earlier; the best-known example being that of the 7th century St. Hripsime church in Echmiadzin, incorporating a dome with a conical roof. The unique importance of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross comes from the extensive array of bas-relief carving of mostly biblical scenes that adorn its external walls. The meanings of these reliefs have been the subject of much and varied interpretation. Not all of this speculation has been produced in good faith - for example, Turkish sources stress alleged Islamic and Turkic influences behind the content of the reliefs and minimise native Armenian influences. Some scholars assert that the friezes parallel contemporary motifs found in Umayyad art - such as a turbaned prince, Arab styles of dress, wine imagery; allusions to royal Sassanian imagery are also present. Between May 2005 and October 2006, the church underwent a controversial[4] restoration program. The restoration had a reported budget of 2 million New Turkish Lira (approximately 1.4 million USD) and was financed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture. Various Armenian religious leaders, including Catholicoi Karekin II of All Armenians and Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia, boycotted the event due to the church's being reopened as a secular museum. Controversy surrounds the issue of whether a cross, which was on top of the dome until 1915, should be replaced. Some Armenians say that the renovation will not be finished until the cross is placed to complete it, and that they should be able to hold the divine liturgy there at least once a year. Turkish officials say it would not be appropriate to have a cross on or hold a mass in what is now a secular museum. Hürriyet columnist Cengiz Çandar asserted that the attitude of Turkish authorities is a move to deprive Aghtamar of its Armenian past. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akdamar_Island
Aghtamar Panorama
Made by Traces in the Sand
Akdamar island and the eastern shore of Lake Van in the last light of the day. Akdamar Island (also known as Aghtamar, Ahktamar, and Aght'amar; Turkish: Akdamar Adası; Armenian: Աղթամար, Kurdish: Aghtamar) is a small island in Lake Van in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. It is home to a 10th century Armenian church, known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross (915-921), and was the seat of an Armenian Catholicos from 1116 to 1895. The origin and meaning of the island's name is unknown, but is often attributed to an old legend. According to the tale, an Armenian princess named Tamar lived on the island and was in love with a commoner. This boy would swim from the mainland to the island each night, guided by a light she lit for him. Her father learned of the boy's visits. One night, as she waited for her lover to arrive, he smashed her light, leaving the boy in the middle of the lake without a guide to indicate which direction to swim. They say his dying cries of Akh, Tamar (Oh, Tamar) can be heard to this day at night. The legend was the inspiration for a famous Armenian poem by Hovhannes Tumanyan. Akdamar (meaning white vein in Turkish) is the current official name of the island, but the original Aghtamar pronunciation is still used by the Kurds who live in the area (there is no gh sound in Turkish, but there is in Kurdish). During his reign, King Gagik I (908-943/944) of the Armenian kingdom of Vaspurakan chose to reside on Akdamar Island, where he founded a settlement; erected a large, square palace; laid out streets, gardens, and orchards; and planted trees and designed areas of recreation for himself and his court. The only surviving structure from that period is the Palatine Cathedral of the Holy Cross. It was built of pink sandstone by the architect monk Manuel during the years 915-921, with an interior measuring 14.80m by 11.5m and the dome reaching 20.40m above ground. In later centuries, and until 1915, it formed part of a monastic complex, the ruins of which can still be seen to the south of the church. Between 1116 and 1895 Akdamar Island was the location of the Armenian Catholicosate of Aghtamar. Khachatur III, who died in 1895, was the last Catholicos of Aghtamar. In 1915, the monks of Aghtamar were massacred, the cathedral looted, and the monastic buildings destroyed. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akdamar_Island
Aghtamar Island / Աղթամար / Akdamar Adası
Made by Traces in the Sand
Akdamar Island (also known as Aghtamar, Ahktamar, and Aght'amar; Turkish: Akdamar Adası; Armenian: Աղթամար, Kurdish: Aghtamar) is a small island in Lake Van in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. It is home to a 10th century Armenian church, known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross (915-921), and was the seat of an Armenian Catholicos from 1116 to 1895. The origin and meaning of the island's name is unknown, but is often attributed to an old legend. According to the tale, an Armenian princess named Tamar lived on the island and was in love with a commoner. This boy would swim from the mainland to the island each night, guided by a light she lit for him. Her father learned of the boy's visits. One night, as she waited for her lover to arrive, he smashed her light, leaving the boy in the middle of the lake without a guide to indicate which direction to swim. They say his dying cries of Akh, Tamar (Oh, Tamar) can be heard to this day at night. The legend was the inspiration for a famous Armenian poem by Hovhannes Tumanyan. Akdamar (meaning white vein in Turkish) is the current official name of the island, but the original Aghtamar pronunciation is still used by the Kurds who live in the area (there is no gh sound in Turkish, but there is in Kurdish). During his reign, King Gagik I (908-943/944) of the Armenian kingdom of Vaspurakan chose to reside on Akdamar Island, where he founded a settlement; erected a large, square palace; laid out streets, gardens, and orchards; and planted trees and designed areas of recreation for himself and his court. The only surviving structure from that period is the Palatine Cathedral of the Holy Cross. It was built of pink sandstone by the architect monk Manuel during the years 915-921, with an interior measuring 14.80m by 11.5m and the dome reaching 20.40m above ground. In later centuries, and until 1915, it formed part of a monastic complex, the ruins of which can still be seen to the south of the church. Between 1116 and 1895 Akdamar Island was the location of the Armenian Catholicosate of Aghtamar. Khachatur III, who died in 1895, was the last Catholicos of Aghtamar. In 1915, the monks of Aghtamar were massacred, the cathedral looted, and the monastic buildings destroyed. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akdamar_Island
durgey Adkemar, goli Wan
Kurdistan, lost pradice, akdemar island, Wan lake, North kurdistan / Turkey...Newroz Productions akdamar adasi Akdemar island
Achtamar 2006 by Robert Demir (Part 1)
A trip to the beautifull island Achtamar in the Van-Lake in summer 2006...Achtamar Akdamar Van Surp Nschan Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche Princess
Achtamar 2006 by Robert Demir (Part 2)
A trip to the beautifull island Achtamar in the Van-Lake in summer 2006...Achtamar Akdamar Van Surp Nschan Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche Princess
Nearest places of interest:
| بهدینی Øیز دهوك بژیت كوردستان edremit haÅŸap kallesi | Castle of Van Van Lake Van Tatvan |
Popular places:
|
Istanbul Ankara Ä°zmir Turkey |
Bursa Antalya Trabzon Van |
