Karmravank (Vaspurakan)

Karmravank, Karmrakvank or Karmerakvank (Armenian Կարմրավանք, " Red Monastery ") is an Armenian monastery in today's Eastern Turkey on the southern shore of Lake Van and in Ancient Vaspurakan. It was founded in the 10th century is attributed to King Gagik I of Vaspurakan ( 908-943 ) from the Artsruni Dynasty.

Abandoned due to the genocide of the Armenians in 1915, it is today only from the Holy Cross Church ( Surb Nshan ).

Situation

Karmravank is located on the southern shore of Lake Van twelve kilometers north-west of the island and the monastery Aghtamar Narekawank. The region is now part of the province of Van (district of Gevaş ), in the Turkish region of Anatolia.

Historically, Karmravank was in the erstwhile United Province Vaspurakan, one of the 15 provinces of historical Armenia - according to the geographers of the 7th century Anania Schirakatsi.

History

At the beginning of the 10th century, the Prince Gagik Arçrouni of Vaspurakan worked to consolidate his power; he advanced from his supremacy on the Bagratides of Mokk, and made his lands a contiguous area - the potential rival of bagratidischen Kingdom of Ani - why him 908 the royal title was awarded. He distinguished himself by construction and the foundation of the monastery of Karmravank, which is attributed to him personally.

The location of the monastery deteriorated after the Muslim takeover. Abandoned after the genocide from 1915 to 1916 has since only the badly damaged church Surb Nshan remained.

Construction

The church Surb Nshan is a domed hall, which is equipped with an apse. The dome is supported by arches, which is why it takes along with the apse a horseshoe shape. It is mounted on a drum made ​​of brick ( whence probably the name of the monastery dates ), covered by a dome in the interior and an outer pyramid roof.

The other fixed components of the monastery could not be explored because of the lack of licensing by the Turkish state.