Notwithstanding having risked to be jailed for smuggling on my way from Iran to Turkey, I finally reached Van. I managed to reach it safe and free, I mean.
Van is a small town in the Eastern Anatolia. Being a well known summer touristic destination (and hometown of the famous Lake Van Monster) is well connected and easily reachable, even in winter. In this area, I planned to visit Lake Van and Van Fortress. Unfortunately, my policy of avoiding expensive individual taxis to use mainly local public transport allowed me to enjoy only the former, postponing the visit to the latter.
Anyways, the visit was worth the effort. Lake Van, and especially Akdamar Island and Akdamar Church (aka Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross, belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church), are a spectacular location. The trip from Van to Gevaş was not only the true demonstration of recently (and forcibly) acquired Zen skills, but also a pleasant journey across the true hearth of Eastern Anatolia.
Just out of curiosity, the Lake Van Monster didn't show up. Pity.
Van is a small town in the Eastern Anatolia. Being a well known summer touristic destination (and hometown of the famous Lake Van Monster) is well connected and easily reachable, even in winter. In this area, I planned to visit Lake Van and Van Fortress. Unfortunately, my policy of avoiding expensive individual taxis to use mainly local public transport allowed me to enjoy only the former, postponing the visit to the latter.
Anyways, the visit was worth the effort. Lake Van, and especially Akdamar Island and Akdamar Church (aka Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross, belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church), are a spectacular location. The trip from Van to Gevaş was not only the true demonstration of recently (and forcibly) acquired Zen skills, but also a pleasant journey across the true hearth of Eastern Anatolia.
Just out of curiosity, the Lake Van Monster didn't show up. Pity.
Left roadside: refrigerator, right roadside: scrap-yard. Apparently, the N.I.M.B. principle doesn't apply to Turkey...
Lake Van
On the small ferry boat to Akdamar Island
Akdamar Island
The west shore of Lake Van
Akdamar Island
Approaching Akdamar Island and the Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross
The Akdamar Church
The Akdamar Church
Entrance of the Akdamar Church
Inside the Cathedral
Inside the Cathedral
Inside the Cathedral
10th Century fresco
10th Century frescoes
10th Century frescoes
A chapel of the Akdamar Church
Remaining of lateral buildings belonging to the religious complex
The Akdamar Church (side view)
Some of the extensive array of bas-relief carving of mostly biblical scenes that adorn the external walls
The old Armenian cemetery
The Akdamar Church (view from the cemetery)
Armenian grave with carvings
Armenian grave with carvings
View from the abandoned eastern dock
The Cathedral
Lake Van
View from the top of the promontory
View from the top of the promontory
View from the top of the promontory
The Cathedral
My current desktop wallpaper
The ferry boat
The Cathedral (view from the dock)
Quite a young sailor, don't you think?
2 comments:
Oh!
I didn't know that shade of blue existed in the world!
Turkey has instantly captured my heart...
-Riona
Turkey left a permanent mark on my soul. I want - I must - come back there to see and learn more.
By the way, if you did like pics from Van, wait to see the ones I took in Goreme, Cappadocia... ;)
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