Armenian themed Goliath, dressed in medieval Armenian military attire, Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Akhtamar Island Van, Western Armenia (Occupied territory: Turkish republic). Built under the reign of King Gagik, from the Artsruni Dynasty, built by the architect-monk Manuel during the years 915-921. Built from Pink Armenian volcanic Tuft (Tufa) which is mostly prominent in Armenia & Western Armenia (Eastern Turkey), is one of the only nation’s on earth that uses Tuft (tufa) stone for it’s architectural themes, and has been a trademark of Armenian architecture since ancient times till present.
On the Fret designs you can see bullet holes which have ruined the the surface of the church as a whole, this mainly occurred during the Armenian Genocide, when some of the residents of Van were able to obtain firearms and were defending themselves from the onslaught by Turkey.
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