Varagavank monastery in Turkey to be restored and turned into museum

Head of the Turkish Van province has decided to restore Varagavank, Armenian paper Agos, based in Istanbul writes. The paper’s sources claim the governor’s office has already prepared the monastery’s reconstruction draft and Culture and Tourism Ministry confirmed the budget.

The governor’s office employees are making final surveys and are going to get in touch with Altayli family, considered the owner of the church, and negotiate with them.

If everything passes in the scheduled way Varagavank monastery complex will turn into a museum like Akhtamar St. Cross church and stay under subordination of Turkey’s Culture ministry.

Recently a noise has been raised over the monastery complex in Turkey. It appeared that the church that faced the danger of collision is impossible to restore as it is a private property belonging to Haberturk chief editor Fatih Altaylı. Protest rallies have been conducted against the latter, after which he agreed to return the church either to the community or the ministry.