Residents of Turkish village call for restoring Armenian church (photos)

The residents of Turkey’s Ergeni village (Tunceli region, historical Dersim) demand the the re-opening of an Armenian church which has been reduced to ruins after years of desolation.

Haber3 reports that the villagers expect the one-time tourism attraction site to be renovated and to regain its popularity.

Due to battles that lasted years, the local authorities did not manage to register and repair the construction. But it is still possible to observe Armenian inscriptions on the church’s walls.

The place of worship used to be the biggest church in Dersim. In 2012, Turkey’s Ministry of Culture decided to take it under protection.