Faith / Monastery
Aprank (Abrenk) Monastery
Tercan, Erzincan
A historic Armenian monastery near the village of Üçpınar, now half-ruined, known for its two monumental khachkars of about 5 meters.
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Its story
The early history of the monastery, about 12–15 km southwest of Tercan on the western slope of Mount Köbek at an elevation of 1,700 meters, is unknown; it first appears in written sources in 1488. It is reported to have been a place visited not only by Armenians but also by other communities of the area. The four-columned, domed Church of Surp Karapet in the lower monastery, surrounded by thick walls, was rebuilt between 1851 and 1873; on the hill about 100 meters above is a single-nave chapel regarded as the tomb of St. David. The feature that has made the monastery best known is its two khachkars (stone crosses), about 5 meters high, dated to the late 12th century and counted among the largest surviving examples in Türkiye. The buildings were abandoned in the early 20th century, and large parts of the enclosure walls have collapsed.
Key facts
- Period
- 15th century and earlier; existing buildings mostly 19th century
- Admission
- Open area
- Getting there
- About 2 km south of Üçpınar village, 12–15 km from Tercan
- Visit duration
- 1 hour
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Quiet
Location
39.66144, 40.28887
Where to eat nearby
No food & drink venues listed nearby.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors; Overture Maps
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aprank_Monastery | https://goturkiye.com/erzincan/see | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tercan | https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/4645462508