Tweet
Saturday, October 7, 2006
With the church refurbished, the number of tourists to the province will increase, says the provincial culture manager
ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
A project to restore the Armenian church on the island of Akdamar in Lake Van is complete, according to reports.
Cahit Zeydanlı, the owner of the company that restored the church, said the restoration process began in May 2005. The process involved the cleaning of the roof and the frescos and figures inside and outside the church, laying floorboards and putting in windows, he said, noting that they had found 34 rooms in the church during the restoration.
He said the rooms were cleaned up but were not restored because they weren't included in the project.
“The restoration was finished on Aug. 30 at a cost of YTL 2.6 million,” said Zeydanlı, noting that five experts supervised the efforts.
“Right now, we are in the process of refurbishing the environs of the church. We built a pier and walkways on the island. Toilets, guard posts, ticket booths and gift shops were built. We are also building a cafeteria behind the church. These will be complete soon too.”
He said the church on Akdamar was the second Armenian church he had restored, noting that the Armenian church in Bitlis his company had rebuilt was now being used as a house of worship.
Zeydanlı said they were aware of the dangers of restoring the church and consequently were in constant contact with the government, Armenian officials in Turkey and around the world. He said an Armenian architect had helped them throughout the process.
“The church is a registered work of art. That's why it was very important to pay the utmost care on the rehabilitation of the church.”
He had talked to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan about the church, said Zeydanlı, noting that Erdoğan was very interested in the process. “The past problems between Armenians and Turks are harming the current state of relations. I hope this church will help in finding a common ground. This restoration is the proof that Turkey can handle such projects. The opening ceremony may take place on Nov. 4. We are expecting the prime minister at the ceremony.”
A tourism boost to the region:
Van Culture and Tourism Manager İzzet Kütüoğlu said a science board and their bureaus had constantly checked the progress of the restoration process and were pleased with the end result.
“The number of tourists coming to Van will increase with the completion of this project. There are some groups who want to come even now. However, we don't want anyone here before the restoration is complete.”
With the church refurbished, the number of tourists to the province will increase, says the provincial culture manager
ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
A project to restore the Armenian church on the island of Akdamar in Lake Van is complete, according to reports.
Cahit Zeydanlı, the owner of the company that restored the church, said the restoration process began in May 2005. The process involved the cleaning of the roof and the frescos and figures inside and outside the church, laying floorboards and putting in windows, he said, noting that they had found 34 rooms in the church during the restoration.
He said the rooms were cleaned up but were not restored because they weren't included in the project.
“The restoration was finished on Aug. 30 at a cost of YTL 2.6 million,” said Zeydanlı, noting that five experts supervised the efforts.
“Right now, we are in the process of refurbishing the environs of the church. We built a pier and walkways on the island. Toilets, guard posts, ticket booths and gift shops were built. We are also building a cafeteria behind the church. These will be complete soon too.”
He said the church on Akdamar was the second Armenian church he had restored, noting that the Armenian church in Bitlis his company had rebuilt was now being used as a house of worship.
Zeydanlı said they were aware of the dangers of restoring the church and consequently were in constant contact with the government, Armenian officials in Turkey and around the world. He said an Armenian architect had helped them throughout the process.
“The church is a registered work of art. That's why it was very important to pay the utmost care on the rehabilitation of the church.”
He had talked to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan about the church, said Zeydanlı, noting that Erdoğan was very interested in the process. “The past problems between Armenians and Turks are harming the current state of relations. I hope this church will help in finding a common ground. This restoration is the proof that Turkey can handle such projects. The opening ceremony may take place on Nov. 4. We are expecting the prime minister at the ceremony.”
A tourism boost to the region:
Van Culture and Tourism Manager İzzet Kütüoğlu said a science board and their bureaus had constantly checked the progress of the restoration process and were pleased with the end result.
“The number of tourists coming to Van will increase with the completion of this project. There are some groups who want to come even now. However, we don't want anyone here before the restoration is complete.”
Comment