Akdamar Monument Museum&Church

Aghtamar is a medieval Armenian Apostolic cathedral located on Aghtamar Island in Lake Van. It was built as a palatine church for the Vaspurakan kings using pink volcanic tuff. Its architect is Monk Manuel and its construction was done between 915-921. It was abandoned in 1915. It was rediscovered and taken under protection in 1951 with the efforts of Turkish writer Yasar Kemal and restored at early 2000s. It has been visited since 2005 as a museum and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the province.