Çarpanak Island, Lake island in Tuşba, Turkey
Çarpanak Island is a small landmass situated in Lake Van's waters, lying approximately one kilometer from the nearest shore. The island served historically as both a transportation hub and a center of religious activity, as evidenced by the remains of structures.
Urartian settlements used this location as part of their trade routes and networks in the region. Later, the island became a site of religious significance when monastic communities established their monasteries there.
This place served for centuries as a refuge for religious communities who built their structures and practiced their faith here. The remains visible today show how people used this isolated location to live out their spiritual lives.
Reaching the island requires boat transportation since it sits in Lake Van's waters. Visiting conditions depend on weather, and water conditions can be unpredictable.
Declining water levels in recent years have exposed ancient pathways from the Urartian period that were previously hidden underwater. These stone paths reveal how ancient peoples organized movement across larger territories.
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