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Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The church of Surp Khach or Holy Cross is the only remnant of a 10th century Armenian palace and monastery complex on Akdamar. It has faded frescoes within and impressive rock-cut reliefs on the exterior. A liturgy is held annually in early Sep before the Feast of the Cross.
Akdamar Island, also known as Aghtamar or Akhtamar, is the second largest of the four main islands in Lake Van, in eastern Turkey. About 0.7 km2 in size, it is situated approximately 3 km from the shoreline. At the western end of the island, a hard, grey, limestone cliff rises 80 m above the lake's level. The island declines to the east to a level site where a spring provides ample water.
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