Across Lake Van, the Saint Thomas Armenian Monastery, known for its magnificent beauty, is in danger of disappearing due to neglect and indifference.
The thousand-year-old Saint Thomas Armenian Monastery (Altınsaç Church), located in Altınsaç Neighborhood of Gevaş district of Van, has been abandoned to its fate. Known to have been built in the 11th century for the purpose of keeping the sacred items belonging to St. Thomas, one of the apostles, St. Thomas Armenian Monastery, at an altitude of 2,000 meters, overlooks Lake Van from the top of the mountain. The monastery amazes those who see it with its magnificence.
The monastery, which is one of the most visited places in the city, is 75 kilometers from Van and 40 kilometers from Gevaş. Altınsaç bays, where the church is located, are known as the untouched bays of Lake Van. The view of the church, which was built on a terrace overlooking the Varis Bay, on the northeastern slope of Beleko Mountain, south of Lake Van, looks magnificent.
Known so much for its history, beauty and magnificence, the monastery, which is one of the oldest structures in Van, has now been abandoned to its fate. Despite all the calls for its restoration and preservation, no action was taken.
On the one hand, the monastery, which is the target of treasure hunters, becomes a place of rest and shelter for animals in summer, as it has been abandoned to its fate. The surroundings of the historical monastery, which was left neglected and unclaimed, is a haunt for grazing animals. (Duvar)
