When the waters of Lake Van receded, the Armenian church appeared – the historic Armenian church became the target of treasure hunters
25.06.2020 – Culture – History:
The historic Armenian Church, which emerged with the withdrawal of Lake Van, has become the target of treasure hunters. If no precautions are taken, another historical heritage will disappear.
SEDAT ULUGANA
The old Ercis, some of which were now called “Çelebibağı”, was abandoned in 1841 due to rising sea levels and has remained under the waters of Lake Van.
However, due to drought, the sunken city resurfaced when the water receded.
Until today, the structures inside the castle and the historic mosque are mentioned, but the church has not been mentioned.
So much so that the famous traveler Evliya Çelebi, who came to Erciş in 1655, said of Erciş castle: “It is a fortified castle on a low rocky hill on the shore of Lake Van.
Each stone is the size of an elephant. It is so large that a javelin with a horse can be played on it … The castle has two doors. The Adilcevaz gate is the largest.
There are a thousand houses with earth roofs and two hundred shops in the castle. He said and added, “Part of the city is Christian.”
Adilcevaz Erciş to the ancient Armenian family Tarhan. It would be a dynasty that has been almost sacred by Islamic states since the time of Caliph Ali. It is said that this church in Ercis is an old church founded by priests of this family.
The ruin and the inscription of the church reappeared after the water was completely withdrawn. And now, unfortunately, it is destroyed by the excavations of the treasure hunters. If no precautions are taken, another historical legacy will disappear.
agos.com.tr/tr/yazi/24221/van-golunun-sulari-cekilince-ermeni-kilisesi-ortaya-cik
