TOURINFO-YEREVAN- The ancient Armenian church of Archesh has emerged due to water level decrease in Lake Van according to an article published in Agos (an Armenian bilingual weekly newspaper published in Istanbul, Turkey) on June 25, 2020.
Scholar Sedat Ulugana in the Istanbul-Armenian “Agos” Armenian newspaper warns that thieves have targeted this Armenian Church in old Archesh. He called for protection and added that if no measures are taken, one historical heritage will be destroyed.
According to Ermenihаber, Ulugana reported that Old Archesh, part of which is now called “Chelebibagh”, in 1841, as the water level in Lake Van rose, it gradually receded and flooded.
However, due to the drought, the water level dropped again and the “sunken city” came to the surface.
The author notes that until today, everyone has been speaking about the structures inside the castle of Old Archesh and the historical mosque, but the church has never been mentioned.
He quoted the words of the famous traveler Evliya Çelebi, who visited Archesh in 1655, about the fortress of Archesh: “On the edge of Lake Van, on a low rocky hill, there is a powerful fortress on 4 sides. Each stone is the size of an elephant. They are so big that they can do equestrian sports (a special type of equestrian sport, which was practiced by the Turks). The castle had two doors. The door of Adiljevaz (Aljavaz, Artske-ed։) is big. ”
Chelebi also reports about a thousand houses, 200 outlets in Archesh Castle, as well as about the Christian population of Archesh.
According to the scientist, historical sources report that the clergy of the ancient Armenian Tarhan dynasty built this church in Archesh.
It should be reminded that since the second half of the 18th century, with the rise in the level of Lake Van, the old Archesh has been gradually underwater, and since the second half of the 19th century, its buildings, churches, houses and other structures have not changed. Only during the severe waves, when the waves of the lake retreated to the depths, were the remains of its defensive walls and their towers barely visible. After burying the historical Archesh underwater, a little north of it, in a higher place, they built the city named Akan (Nor Archesh, Turkish: Erciş).
Agos is an Armenian bilingual weekly newspaper published in Istanbul, Turkey, established on 5 April 1996. Agos has both Armenian and Turkish pages as well as an online English edition.
Source: http://www.agos.com.tr/tr/yazi/24221/van-golunun-sulari-cekilince-ermeni-kilisesi-ortaya-cikti
