Armenian church under repair in Turkish village

Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has undertaken the repairs of a damaged Armenian church in the north-eastern province of Artvin.

The construction, situated in the village Iskhan, is said to annually attract a large number of tourists who admire its decoration, Evrensel.net reports.

A major tourism site, the church dates from the 7th century. A monastery, which was built in the first half of the 9th century to replace the damaged building, remains standing to date.

The tourists’ flow is said to be a big advantage to the village’s population.

The legend goes that place of warship, otherwise known as a Bloody Monastery, was built with great difficulties. It was completed in eight years after the daughter of Smbat Bagatuni, a 6th century Armenian king, undertook to cover the financial costs.

After the 1915 Armenian genocide the building turned into a stable like many other churches.

The construction is now left under the care of an elderly Muslim woman, Hatun Gyorgyunen, who, despite her religion, does the job for free.

The church is also said to be a subject of disputes for Turkish and Georgian officials who claim it has Georgian roots. But the Armenian architecture and name suggest the building is originally an Armenian construction.