Akdamar Island and the Church of the Holy Cross

Its story

Akdamar Island, off Gevaş, was one of the centers of the Kingdom of Vaspurakan in the 10th century. The Church of the Holy Cross, built as a palace church in 915-921 by the architect Manuel at the request of King Gagik I Artsruni, is considered one of the masterpieces of medieval Armenian art with the reliefs covering its facades of reddish andesite stone. Scenes such as the Prophet Jonah, David and Goliath, Adam and Eve, Daniel among the lions and Gagik presenting a model of the church decorate the facades. The church was later converted into a monastery and was abandoned after the events of 1895 and 1915. Restored in 2005-2007, it opened as a monument museum; since 2010 a service has been held once a year. In 2015 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

Period

915–921 (Kingdom of Vaspurakan)

Admission

Paid (Müzekart valid)

Getting there

By boat from the pier on the Gevaş shore

Visit duration

2–3 hours (with the boat)

Trip purpose

• Seasonal
• Photography
• Day trip

Location

38.34033, 43.03699

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