Akdamar Adası Kilisesi

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AKDAMAR ISLAND AND CHURCH It is located on Akdamar Island within the borders of Gevaş District. The church, which was established in the southeast of the island, was built by the Monk Manuel between 915-921 by the Vaspurakan King Gagik I in the name of the Holy Cross. The chapel to the northeast of the church was built in 1296-1336; in the west of jamaton in 1763; The bell tower to the south was added at the end of the 18th century. The date of the chapel in the north is unknown. The building, which was a palace church when it was first built, was later converted into a monastery church. As a result of the restoration in 2007, it was put into service as a Memorial Museum. In addition to its architecture, the church draws attention with its figured stone plastic on its exterior. In terms of plan, it has a four-leaf clover-shaped cross with a central dome. The middle space is covered with a high pulley, a dome from the inside and a pyramidal cone from the outside. Keeping the dome high clearly reveals the vertical effect in the church. The church is entered through a door from the west and south. The church was surrounded by structures added in later periods. The figured repertoire of the church is quite rich. In addition, there are various scenes taken from the Bible and the Torah. Prophet Yunus was thrown into the sea, Hz. Mary and Jesus in her arms, the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, Hz. The struggle of David and King Goliath, Samson the Philistine duo, three Hebrew youths in the fire, Daniel in the Lion's lair are the main scenes. On the western façade, there is a scene showing King Gagik presenting the church model. On the pediments in four directions, the writers of the Bible are depicted throughout. In addition to these, in the lower and upper parts of the façade, bands of vine vines are entwined. Various worldly scenes were processed within these generations. Hunting scenes, various animals, wrestlers and many scenes related to the palace are included. In addition, in the middle of the eastern façade, inside the border of vine ivy, the head of the Abbasid Caliph Mighty is depicted in a halo, cross-legged, holding a glass in one hand and a grape in the other. Apart from religious and worldly scenes, there is also a diversity in terms of animal figures. It is possible to see these rich animal figures freely in between, in the vines and on the lower parts of the roofs. History of the monastery community IX. goes back to the century. The church, which was later renovated in 1462, was damaged in the earthquake in 1703 and was repaired again between 1712 and 1720. The church sits on a rectangular area in the east-west direction. The central dome in the middle is supported by two free abutments from the west and arches in four directions abutting the apse wall from the east. The apse in the east is pentagonal and there are cells on both sides. The dome covering the cross arm on the west is ribbed. The central dome is projected outward in the form of a pyramidal cone with a high pulley. Entrance is provided through two doors opened to the west and north facades. Of these, it shows an arrangement in the form of a portal to the west. Cut stone material was used throughout the church. The jamaton, which was added to the west side, was arranged in a square plan and nine sections. The sections are covered with mirrored cross vaults. The top of the protruding entrance on the west façade is arranged as a bell tower. The lower door is muqarnas kavsaras. In this part, two-colored smooth cut stone material can be seen from place to place. The interior of the church is decorated with frescoes, which are largely damaged today. In these frescoes, Hz. Topics related to Jesus are covered. The architectural plastic adorning the exterior of the building, which was built with smooth cut stone material, gives the church an effective appearance. The fact that it has the influence of Central Asian Turkish art through the Abbasids increases its importance.

We went from Gevaş pier to the island, as far as I know, it also departs from Edremit in every half hour. There is a departure every half hour. The ship is 25 TL. Also, when you get to the island, the entrance to the island is 35 TL. The museum card is valid. The church is beautiful. The environment is very good, but in winter, dress tight. The island is full of rabbits. The reason why I took off a star is that you can't shoot using a tripod across the island with the instruction given to the security guard, it's a ridiculous practice, but the governor's permission is required because he is taking professional shooting. I shot it by putting it on the ground and stones. You can't promote your own works in your own country. There is no historical building other than a church on the island. There are plenty of graveyards. Still, it is one of the must-see places in Turkey.