MINISTRY TO LANDSCAPE AREA AROUND HISTORIC AKDAMAR CHURCH
Today's Zaman
May 13 2012
Turkey
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is planning to landscape the area
around the 10th century Armenian church located on Akdamar Island in
Lake Van.
As part of the project, the ministry will construct green spaces
and plant flowers around the church. The project will later focus on
developing the whole island.
Already a destination for local and foreign tourists, the Akdamar
church is expected to attract more attention when the landscaping
is completed.
As part of an earlier project titled the Akdamar Island Solar PV
Project, implemented by the Eastern Anatolia Development Agency
(DAKA), a solar power station that generates the artificial lighting
for the entire island went into operation in August 2010. The lights
on Akdamar Island are shining through the power of solar panels.
The Akdamar church was in ruins and on the verge of collapse before a
restoration project launched in 2005 largely preserved the historical
identity of the church. The church was reopened as a museum when
restoration was completed in 2007 and officially opened for worship
with a prayer service and celebration on Sept. 12, 2010.
Today's Zaman
May 13 2012
Turkey
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is planning to landscape the area
around the 10th century Armenian church located on Akdamar Island in
Lake Van.
As part of the project, the ministry will construct green spaces
and plant flowers around the church. The project will later focus on
developing the whole island.
Already a destination for local and foreign tourists, the Akdamar
church is expected to attract more attention when the landscaping
is completed.
As part of an earlier project titled the Akdamar Island Solar PV
Project, implemented by the Eastern Anatolia Development Agency
(DAKA), a solar power station that generates the artificial lighting
for the entire island went into operation in August 2010. The lights
on Akdamar Island are shining through the power of solar panels.
The Akdamar church was in ruins and on the verge of collapse before a
restoration project launched in 2005 largely preserved the historical
identity of the church. The church was reopened as a museum when
restoration was completed in 2007 and officially opened for worship
with a prayer service and celebration on Sept. 12, 2010.