Categories: AntiquitiesCultureNewsWorld

Turks Looking for Treasures and Destroying Armenian Monuments

Over the decades, the destruction of Armenian monuments in Western Armenia (now known under the geopolitical term and name Eastern Anatolia) hasn’t been carried out too actively. However, the increasing number of mentions of such actions in Armenian and other media allows us to conclude that their scope has expanded quite a bit.

Both Turks and Kurds actively partake in the elimination of the cultural heritage of Armenia in the territory of historical Armenia, which bears the traces of the indigenous presence of Armenians in the air itself. Today, Turks and Kurds try to enjoy the fame of Armenians for free.

The only place that is safe from this vandalism is the antique city of Ani, a former residence of Armenian kings. Ani was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 15, 2016, and now, the Turks cannot wipe out another testimony to ancient Armenian presence no matter how hard they try.

Throughout the rest of historical Armenia, Armenian cultural monuments and churches are now standing in poor condition, said the dean of the Faculty of History of Yerevan State University (YSU) Edik Minasyan.

“What we have seen has been unpromising. Some territories have been turned into pastures and bird markets. However, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Ani is forcedly taken care of,” said Minasyan during the tour of Western Armenia, in which students from YSU participated. According to him, Turks destroy Armenian monuments in their search for treasures and gold.

Surb Karapet Monastery, about 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Mush (modern Muş, provincial capital of Muş province in Turkey). The monastery has been a significant religious center of the historic province of Taron. Destroyed by the Turks

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Akdamar (Aghtamar) Island, in lake Van in eastern Turkey, built during 915-921, is the most antique and the only preserved temple among the churches presented in this article. Destroyed by the Turks

The Varagavank monastery by the lake Van. The monastery was founded in the early 11th century by Senekerim-Hovhannes Artsruni, the Armenian King of Vaspurakan. Destroyed by the Turks

Destroyed by the Turks

Khachkars at the cemetery of the Arakelots Monastery (11 km south-east of Mush). Destroyed by the Turks

Surb Karapet Monastery’s main church, renovated after being destroyed by Persian troops in 1750s and by a devastating earthquake in 1784. Destroyed by the Turks

Surb Karapet Monastery’s main church, view of the main entrance. Destroyed by the Turks

The Varagavank monastery. Destroyed by the Turks

View of the Surb Karapet Monastery. Destroyed by the Turks

The Narekavank monastery. Destroyed by the Turks

The Arakelots Monastery. Evidence shows that the monastery was founded in 11th century during the rule of the Tornikians, a branch of Mamikonians. The wall around the monastery was built in 1791. Destroyed by the Turks

Roofs of the Varagavank monastery’s churches Destroyed by the Turks

Vigen Avetisyan