Turks, Armenians Celebrate Restoration of Akdamar Church

On March 29 2007, the Government of Turkey hosted a ceremony marking the completion of the restoration of the 10th century Armenian church on Akdamar Island in Lake Van, Turkey.

This landmark achievement was celebrated by over three thousand participants, including Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Atilla Koc, Armenian Deputy Minister of Culture Gagik Gyurgian, Turkish Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II, senior government officials, high level representatives of international organizations, key contributors and tourists from Turkey and around the world.

Turkey initiated the $1.5 million restoration project in May 2005. The restoration was completed by a team of experts composed of Turkish and Armenian architects, civil engineers and scholars.

The restoration team worked closely with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Turkish Armenian Patriarchy, universities, and civil society organizations in order to ensure adherence to international conservation standards. During the restoration process, both the exterior and interior of the church were restored, the walls were strengthened against earthquakes and the stone sculptures and frescoes were cleaned.

Akdamar Church at Lake Van East Turkey The Church was constructed during the reign of Gagik Ardzrouni, King of Vaspurakan, by the architect Bishop Manuel between 915 – 921 AD. It was converted to a monastery in 1113 when the Kingdom of Vaspurakan came to an end, and the church became the center of the Armenian Patriarchate till the end of the 19th century.

During the inauguration ceremony, Turkish Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II and a Vatican envoy praised the restoration. The Armenian Deputy Minister of Culture added that they were in Turkey not just to witness the restoration of the church but also to discuss new projects where Turkish and Armenian experts can cooperate in many areas, including archaeology and architecture.

Mail to info@transanatolie.com with questions or comments about this web site.

Last modified: 2013-02-11

Explore the Worlds of Ancient Anatolia and Modern Turkey by TransAnatolie Tour: Ancient Anatolia Explorer, Asia Minor Explorer, Turkey Explorer; Cultural Tour Operator, Biblical Tour Operator, Turkish Destinations, Cultural Tours to Turkey, Biblical Tours to Turkey, Health and Cultural Tours to Turkey, Thermal, Thalasso Holidays in Turkey, Archaeological Tours to Turkey, Historical Tours to Turkey, Cultural Heritage Tours to Turkey, Cultural Tours to Turkey, Hobby Eco and Nature Tours Holidays to Turkey, Beach and Plateau Holidays in Tuirkey, Anatolian Civilizations, Ancient Cultural Museums in Turkey, Top Turkish Museums, Museums in Turkey, Anatolian Civilizations Museum, Istanbul Archeological Museum, Ephesus Museum, Mevlana Museum, Topkapi Museum, Museum of Topkapi Palace, Turkish Cities, Turkish Destinations, Ancient Cities in Turkey, Ancient Anatolian Cities, Turkey in Brief, Turkish Culture, Turks, Turkish Language, Turkish Philosophers....Circuits culturels en Turquie, Excurcions en Turquie, Vacances en Turquie, Circuits de Culture en Turquie, Circuits de Croyance en Turquie, Turquie, Villes Antiques en Turquie, Musees en Turquie, Empires Turcs, Revolution de Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Turquie d'Ataturk, Culturele Tours in Turkije, Rondreizen in Turkije, Reizen naar Turkije, Culturele Rondreizen naar Turkije, Vakanties in Turkije, Groepsreizen naar Turkije, Turkije, Turkse Geschiedenis, Geschiedenis van Turkije, Oude Steden in Turkije, Oude Beschavingen, Oude Anatolische Beschavingen, Turkse Steden, Turkse Musea, Musea in Turkije, Turkse Steden, Overzicht van Turkije, Turkije in het Kort, Turks, Turkse Taal, Turkse Gescheidenis, Osmaanse Rijk, Ottamaanse Rijk, Gezondheid Tours Vakanties in Turkije, Geloof Tours in Turkije, Culturele Tour Operator, Turkije Specialist

The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies