Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Medieval cathedral on Akdamar Island, Lake Van, Turkey
The Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross is a medieval church on Akdamar Island in Lake Van, Turkey, recognized by its clover-shaped floor plan and central dome. The structure measures roughly 16 by 12.5 meters and rises as the only major building on the small rocky island.
Architect Manuel built the cathedral between 915 and 921 for Armenian King Gagik I of Vaspurakan to house a fragment of the True Cross. It served as the main church of a monastery that remained inhabited until the 19th century.
The exterior walls display intricate stone carvings depicting biblical narratives and scenes from Armenian history, with religious and secular motifs spread across the entire facade. These carvings turn the walls into a large picture book that tells stories without using words.
Visitors reach the cathedral by boats that depart regularly from the Lake Van shore and take roughly 20 minutes for the crossing. On the island, a short path leads uphill from the dock to the entrance.
Medieval frescoes cover the vaults, cross arms, and dome drum, forming the earliest and most complete examples of their kind in the region. Some of these paintings still show visible traces of color, though centuries without a roof severely damaged the surfaces.
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