ARMENIAN AKHTAMAR CHURCH RESTORATION NEARS COMPLETION
16:28 17.04.2014
Akhtamar
The restoration of a 10th-century Armenian church located on Akhtamar
Island in eastern Turkey's Lake Van is about to be completed, Today's
Zaman reports.
According to the report, the walls of the church have been renovated
in line with the original design.
Known in English as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the church
was in ruins and on the verge of collapse. The Turkish Ministry of
Culture and Tourism started a restoration project in 2005 to preserve
the historical identity of the church. The church has since become
a destination for domestic and international tourists since being
opened as a museum by the ministry after its first restoration was
completed in 2007.
The second restoration project started in April of last year on the
ruins of the church's monastic buildings.
Adnan Vural, owner of Alfin Construction, which carried out the
restoration of the church, said the work is nearly finished.
Religious services have been held inside the church four times. The
last time a religious service took place in the church was in
September of last year. Armenians from Turkey, Holland, Austria,
Canada, Switzerland, Germany, France, US, Iran and Armenia attended the
services. Several foreign diplomats in Turkey also attended the event.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/04/17/armenian-akhtamar-church-restoration-nears-completion/
16:28 17.04.2014
Akhtamar
The restoration of a 10th-century Armenian church located on Akhtamar
Island in eastern Turkey's Lake Van is about to be completed, Today's
Zaman reports.
According to the report, the walls of the church have been renovated
in line with the original design.
Known in English as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the church
was in ruins and on the verge of collapse. The Turkish Ministry of
Culture and Tourism started a restoration project in 2005 to preserve
the historical identity of the church. The church has since become
a destination for domestic and international tourists since being
opened as a museum by the ministry after its first restoration was
completed in 2007.
The second restoration project started in April of last year on the
ruins of the church's monastic buildings.
Adnan Vural, owner of Alfin Construction, which carried out the
restoration of the church, said the work is nearly finished.
Religious services have been held inside the church four times. The
last time a religious service took place in the church was in
September of last year. Armenians from Turkey, Holland, Austria,
Canada, Switzerland, Germany, France, US, Iran and Armenia attended the
services. Several foreign diplomats in Turkey also attended the event.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/04/17/armenian-akhtamar-church-restoration-nears-completion/