38° 20′ 30″ N, 43° 2′ 7″ E

Famous for its Armenian church

10th-century Church of the Holy Cross

Akdamar Island, also known as Akdamar Island or Aghtamar Island. The island is known for its historic Armenian church, the Holy Cross Church, which is a significant cultural and historical site. The Holy Cross Church, also called the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, was built between 915 and 921 AD by the architect Bishop Manuel during the reign of King Gagik I of the Kingdom of Vaspurakan. It is renowned for its intricate stone reliefs, depicting biblical scenes and figures, as well as ornate carvings and unique architecture. The church is famous for its exceptional collection of medieval Armenian khachkars, which are elaborately carved stone crosses.

Copyright Daily Sabah
THE JOURNEY, NOT THE ARRIVAL, MATTERS

Located in Lake Van, Turkey.

How to get there:

  1. By Bus:
    • Turkey has an extensive bus network that connects various cities and towns. You can find buses traveling to Van from major cities in Turkey.
    • Look for bus companies that operate routes to Van. They usually have regular schedules throughout the day.
    • Buses usually arrive at Van’s central bus station. From there, you can take a taxi or a local minibus (dolmuş) to Gevaş.
  2. By Car:
    • If you prefer driving, you can rent a car and take the road to Van.
    • Major highways connect Van with other cities in Turkey, such as Istanbul and Ankara.
    • The journey from Istanbul to Van by car takes approximately 18-20 hours, depending on the route and traffic conditions.
    • Once you reach Van, you can drive to Gevaş, where you’ll find boats departing for Akdamar Island.
  3. Boat to Akdamar Island:
    • To reach Akdamar Island, you need to take a boat from Gevaş, a town located on the eastern shore of Lake Van.
    • Boats depart regularly from the Gevaş pier during the tourist season (usually from May to September).
    • The boat trip to Akdamar Island takes about 30 minutes.
    • It’s recommended to check the boat schedules in advance, as they might vary depending on weather conditions and demand.
Copyright Daily Sabah
Copyright Onur Binay
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