Known for its magnificent view of Lake Van, Saint Thomas Armenian Monastery is on the verge of disappearing due to neglect and indifference, reports Ermenihaber.
The thousand-year-old Saint Thomes Armenian Monastery in Van’s Altınsaç District of the Gevaş district has been abandoned to its fate for years. The Monastery was built in the 11th century to store the sacred belongings of St. Thomas the apostle. The Saint Thomas Armenian Monastery, at an altitude of 2,000 meters, overlooks the Armenian 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 (Vostan in Armenian). Altınsaç bays, where the church is located, are known as the untouched bays of Lake Van.
Known 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 has been taken.
On the one hand, the monastery, which is the target of treasure hunters, has become a place of rest and shelter for animals in summer. The surroundings of the historical monastery, which was left neglected and unclaimed, is a haunt for grazing animals.