The Touching Call that Gave Akdamar its Name: "Ah Tamara!" 

Mount Nemrut, on whose summit ancient humans and gods sat back-to-back to watch the sunrise and sunset, erupted one day hundreds of thousands of years ago. What came out of the mountain's imposing maw piled up and solidified in front of a huge pit nearby. Salty and carbonated water filled the pit, and Lake Van, or Van Sea as the locals call it, was formed - and so began our story.

Anyone who has been to Lake Van knows that the lake’s waters, which do not freeze even in the coldest weather, hide four islands, some of which are not so small. One of them is Akdamar Island near the southern shore of the lake. Akdamar Island is one of the most popular destinations for travelers visiting Lake Van because of the Akdamar Church, built in the 10th century, where Armenian artisans of that time showed all their skills. Those who come here to see the deep blue depth of the lake and the delicacy of the stone reliefs of the church certainly know this legend. For those who don't know, let's tell the story of why Akdamar is called Akdamar, as some say…

The Light of Love Tears the Darkness Apart 

According to the legend, one of the main monks of the church built by King Gogik I of the Vaspurakan dynasty, who ruled the region, had a daughter of legendary beauty named Tamara. She fell in love with a young shepherd who lived in one of the villages on the nearby coast of the island. The boy also loved the girl, and in order to meet her, he had to swim through the brackish waters of the lake every night to reach the island. While he swam across the lake in the dark of night, Tamara held a lantern between the shore and the island so that he would not get lost. The love of the two young people pierced the darkness of the night with the faint light of that lantern, but there were other darknesses to overcome. It was a difficult love. Perhaps they could meet secretly under the guidance of the lantern, but it was not possible for them to meet in broad daylight with their bodies exposed. Tamara was the daughter of a monk, the young shepherd a Muslim. The light of love that brought them together could have been lost in the darkness at any moment.

Last Rendezvous of the Lovers 

For Tamara's father, the chief monk, had learned of this forbidden love and of their meeting by the light of a dim lantern... And on a stormy night he decided to put an end to this dangerous love. He took a lantern and sailed a boat, throwing the false light left and right. The young shepherd swam back and forth, following the ever-changing light to meet his love as quickly as possible. Finally, he grew tired, and when he realized that this tiredness would not allow him another stroke, he shouted with the last breaths with which he could fill his lungs, "Tamaraaa! Ah Tamaraaa! Ah Tamaraaa!", and Tamara heard the screams coming from the dark water. She understood the bitter end of her beloved and dropped into Lake Van for the last time in the stormy night to be reunited. It is said that this name, which turned into Akdamar when it was passed from mouth to mouth, comes from the cries of the last words of the beloved who went to his  death, and is actually "Ah Tamara!".

Alone on a small island near the southern shore of Lake Van, looking out over the deep blue expanse with dignity and yet with an air of sadness, the Akdamar church with all its artistry seems to bear the marks of this moving history. Lake Van, on the other hand, has much more to offer for the many travelers drawn to this fascinating history. In addition to Akdamar Island, Lake Van, which also includes the islands of Çarpanak, Kuş and Adır, awaits its visitors with its historical treasures, natural beauty and the many experiences it offers. 

You can visit the church, which is now open to visitors as Akdamar Monument Museum, as well as the remains of historical monasteries and churches on the other islands in the lake, and you can feel in your soul the lantern of love that illuminates all darkness in the magnificent lake view.