The Turkish website “Gazeteduvar” mentioned several Armenian churches in Van province that were destroyed by thieves and abandoned.
“Gazeteduvar” wrote: “St. Bartholomew, one of the Armenian churches in Van and a structure considered a center of spiritual tourism, has long waited for restoration. But so far, no steps have been taken, and the church continues to collapse.
Among the churches demolished in Van are the Church of St. Gevorg and the Monastery of St. Astvatsatsin. Until the 90s, only one wall remained from the standing church, and in recent years, a mosque was built right next door.
The Church of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Van Artsvaber Monastery in Van is also on the verge of collapse due to drilling by thieves inside the church.
The Armenian monastery on the Lim Island on Lake Van is on the brink of destruction as well, and it is awaiting restoration too.
