"VAN... CAPITAL OF ANCIENT URARTU KINGDOM " a Van Travel Page by Arkeolog

I strated my trip from Van. I travelled alone by car during two weeks. It was a fantastic experience for me. Van and its enviroinment make people peaceful and naturelover. Lake Van is an absolute must see! The color of Turqouise can be seen in this lake with the exact mean of that color. Food is really good. Herbs and vegetables are so popular in Van food culture. Also meat is important. Castle of Van shows the glorious days of Urartu times. People of Van are very kind, helpful and friendly.

It is a charming island on the lake. building of church can be seen from highway. Motor ride costs 2,5 YTL (August 2006) It was a nice trip to Akdamar. BTW there is a little cafe on the island and you can buy tea, coffe and bottled water there.

Akdamar Island, is 55km. from Van and a twenty minute motor ride from the jetty on Van - Tatvan highway. It is known for its original church. Akdamar Church was commissioned to architect priest Manuel by King Gakik I of the Vaspurakan dynasty during the years 915 - 921 B.C.

The church has a four leaved clover plan with a domed center, and it is built from red colored cut tufa stone.

At the exterior of the structures there are stone reliefs depicting religious themes from the Bible and Tevrat as well as earthly themes, such as life at palace, hunting scenes and human and animal figures.

The interiors of the church walls are decorated with frescoes showing religios themes, which are practically disappearing today. These wall paintings have a special significance as the most comprehensive and oldest examples found in this region.