AghtamarIsland continues to attract attention with its legend that has been spoken for centuries, the SurpHach (Saint Cross) Church and its extraordinary natural beauty.

Van- Many Armenian historical buildings have been destroyed;Aghtamar Island is quietly embraced of Van Lake, which is big like sea. Aghtamar Island and SurpHach (Saint Cross) Church have been hosting visitors from different countries for centuries with their extraordinary beauty and sad love story but the most Armenian people visit the island. 

In 1951, hundreds of Armenian buildings in the region andthe Church of Aghtamar Island were decided to blow downby the government. On June 25, 1951, the destruction was started but when Yaşar Kemal, who was a young journalist of Cumhuriyet Daily at that time, was accidentally heard the destruction, the church was saved. After being restored, the SurpHach Church has been served as a house of worship one day a year. On other days of the year, it is allowed to be visited as a “museum”. 

Tourists flock to island in April

Almond tree blossom in AghtamarIsland in April and the Island is surrounded by all shades of pink and white. In April, the beauty of Aghtamar Islandis breathtaking. 

There are four islands in Van Lake; Adır, Aghtamar, Çarpanak andKuş (Birds) Islands. Adır Island is located in the north of the lake; Çarpanak is located in the east of the lake and Aghtamar and Birds’ Islands are located in the south of the lake. The Aghtamar Island’s territory is 70.000 m2 and has a coastal length of 3 km. 

SurpHach (Saint Cross) Church

The Church was built between 915 and 921 AD by Architect Bishop Manuel, under the supervision of Gagik I Ardzruni, an Armenian King who reigned over the Kingdom of Vaspurakan as a vassal under the Abbasids. The church, located in the south east of the island, is considered among the best works of medieval Armenian art in terms of architecture. The church was built of pink volcanic tufa with an interior measuring 14.80m by 11.5m and the dome reaching 20.40m above ground.