Akdamar Island

Akdamar Island is the second-largest island among the four islands in Lake Van. The highest point of the island is 1,912 meters above sea level. The island has a fascinating landscape with almond trees blooming in spring. The coastal length of Akdamar Island is 3 kilometers. At the western end of the island is a limestone cliff with a grey and hard appearance. Akdamar is about three kilometers from the coast. Other islands in the vicinity are Adır, Çarpanak, and Kuş Islands. Akdamar Island, which is in the Gevaş District of Van, has become a famous tourist destination thanks to its historical Armenian Church. This Church, which is older than a thousand years, was built in 915 by the Vaspurakans, an Armenian kingdom.

You can see trees on Akdamar Island that you can't see on the shores of Gevas. The island has an excellent view in the middle of Lake Van, and you can capture unique photo frames by taking the snowy mountains behind you, especially in winter.

Story Of Akdamar Island

Akdamar Island takes its name from a legend. According to legend, an Armenian princess named Tamar lived on Akdamar Island (Akhtamar Island) in Lake Van. He falls in love with a young Tamar, who is a shepherd in one of the villages in the neighborhood. The love between them was so strong that the young shepherd begins to swim from the mainland to the island every night to Tamar's lighthouse. One day the Princess's father becomes aware of this incident and, on a stormy night, begins to change the location of the lighthouse regularly. The young man swimming in the middle of the lake does not know where to go, so he swims here and there. Over time the force out of young love, Ah, Tamar! (Akh, Tamar) he begins to drown, accompanied by their cries. This legend, which has spread from ear to ear until today, is the most common legend about where Akdamar Island got its name.