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Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Aghtamar

Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Aghtamar

Manuel

Photo: Francesco Bini · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Location
Akdamar Island, Lake Van, Turkey
Client / Owner
King Gagik I Artsruni
Year
Completed 921
Access
Tickets required
Style
—

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Aghtamar (Akdamar) Island was designed by the architect-monk Manuel as a palatine church for the kings of Vaspurakan. The article links it to King Gagik I Artsruni, who founded a settlement on the island. The infobox and text agree on construction from 915 to 921.

The article calls the style Armenian, based on a form developed centuries earlier. It says pink volcanic tufa, though that claim is tagged citation needed. Raised-stone bas-reliefs of mostly biblical scenes cover the exterior. The interior is 48.6 by 37.7 feet (14.8 by 11.5 m), and the dome is 67 feet (20.4 m) high.

It was the seat of the Catholicosate of Aghtamar from 1116 to 1895. It was restored from 2005 to 2006 and reopened as a museum on March 29, 2007. The ministry allows one religious service per year. The article gives no hours.

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