Perched on Akdamar Island, 3km out on Lake Van, Akdamar Kilisesi is one of the marvels of Armenian architecture. Built in 921 by the Armenian King of Vaspurkan, Gagik Artzruni, and originally part of a complex that also included a palace and monastery, the church's facade is covered with biblical relief carvings in superb condition that are considered among the masterworks of Armenian art. Inside, the church walls hold some very faded and defaced frescoes.
The facade's biblical scenes include depictions of Adam and Eve, Jonah and the whale (with the head of a dog), David and Goliath, Abraham about to sacrifice Isaac, Daniel in the lions' den and Samson.
A liturgy is held here every September (on the first or second Sunday of the month), presided over by the Armenian Orthodox Archbishop.
The site is very popular as much as anything for the jolly 20 minute each-way boat ride with blaring music and maybe even dancing. On arrival queuing to pay the €10 entry ticket takes almost as long as visiting the church, walking to the big Turkish flag and returning via the very basic cafe. You can return on any boat but make sure you use the same jetty as there are two, each returning to different starting points.
City bus 115 runs from Van to Akdamar İskelesi from where boats to Akdamar Island (per person ₺90) claim to run roughly twice an hour April to October but actually leave whenever visitor numbers warrant the trip (minimum 15 people). Weekends are the busiest times with minimal waiting time and some boats turning disco with blaring music on the return leg. During weekdays especially outside of the summer season, visitor numbers are much lower. Chartering your own boat would cost around ₺2000.
