Akhtamar Church Editorial Image

Akdamar Island (Turkish: Akdamar Adası), also known as Aghtamar (Armenian: Աղթամար [ɑʁtʰɑˈmɑɾ]) or Akhtamar ([ɑχtʰɑˈmɑɾ]), is the second largest of the four islands in Lake Van, in eastern Turkey. About 0.7 km² in size, it is situated about 3 km from the shoreline. At the western end of the island a hard, grey, limestone cliff rises 80 m above the lake's level (1,912 m above sea level). The island declines to the east to a level site where a spring provides ample water. It is home to the 10th century Armenian Holy Cross Cathedral, which was the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Catholicosate of Aghtamar from 1116 to 1895.