Seated upon Akdamar Island in Turkey’s Lake Van is the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, a ruined Armenian church. An Armenian king chose the island as one of his residences in the early 10th century, building this palatial complex that included a castle and monastery from A.D. 915 to 921. The Turkish government began an 18-month restoration in 2005 and reopened the cathedral as a museum in 2007.
Akdamar Island, Turkey
