Categories: AntiquitiesCulture

Armenian Cave Church Severely Damaged By Treasure Hunters In Caesarea

The Armenian Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary near the Bağpınar village in Caesarea Province of Turkey (Historical Armenia) has been repeatedly plundered by treasure hunters.

As a result of the plunders, the church has been severely damaged, especially its wall murals. In an interview with Turkish media, Bağpınar headman Omer Nalbant said that the current state of the church is deplorable. He expressed hopes that the authorities will repair it to encourage tourist inflow.

Representatives of the State Department of Culture and Tourism of Caesarea stated that all churches in the region had been registered and that certain restorations are planned. However, there are no exact time frames for them.

westernarmeniatv.com

Vigen Avetisyan

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