Turkish Daily News
January 19, 2007 Friday
VISITORS FLOCK TO CLOSED CHURCH
More than 12,000 tourists poured into Van this past year with the
hope of seeing the thousand-year-old Armenian church, situated on
Akdamar Island on Lake Van, despite the fact that it was closed to
visitors because of restoration work, reported the Anatolia news
agency. The church is a museum and its richly decorated walls have
Old Testament reliefs, representing one of the important works of
Armenian architecture. Built in the shape of a crucifix, the church
was built during 915-921 by Brother Manuel for Armenian King Gagik I
Van Culture and Tourism Director Izzet Kutukoglu said the city was a
magnet for domestic and foreign tourists due to the many
civilizations that had settled there and the rich cultural heritage.
He said that last year 173,646 tourists, 20,911 of whom were
foreigners, visited Van, its famed church and historical mosques.
Noting that most tourist places were undergoing restoration in Van,
Kutukoglu said: "Akdamar Church and its surroundings are undergoing
restoration while the Van Museum, Husrevpasa Mosque and the Van and
Hosap castles were restored in 2006. Despite all the restoration work
tourists still flocked to the city and that’s why we didn’t close
Akdamar Church completely. But tourists coming to the city could only
view the church by standing behind a wire fence."
Kutukoglu mentioned that last year 12,578 local and foreign tourists
visited Akdamar Church, adding: "Even though the church was being
restored many visitors still wanted to see it. Sometimes they call us
to ask when it will be open and that’s why I think many people will
visit Akdamar Island and the church in 2007."
He said tourists came to Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia for faith
tourism, adding: "The region has a very rich culture and many people
come here for faith tourism and research. In general they are older
people because the younger tourists prefer the sea and sun and head
to the west and south of the country for their holidays."
