Abrenk (Aprank) Vank Church The Abrenk Vank Church, also referred to as the Monastery of Saint David of Abrank, is a prominent historical site located in Erzincan. According to its inscription, the church was built in 1854 and is regarded as one of the most enduring Armenian monasteries in Anatolia. Despite its remarkable architecture, the Abrenk Church is currently in a state of neglect and requires conservation. Located on Mount Vank, the church is difficult to reach due to heavy snowfall for much of the year. The early history of the monastery remains largely unknown, but it once served as the episcopal center for the Tercan district in the 19th century, which included 34 Armenian villages. Most of the remaining structures of the monastery are from this period, and it seems the monastery was abandoned around 1915. The northern part of the walled compound is filled with various buildings, while the southern section houses the monastery’s main church, the Surp Hovhannes (Saint John) Church. The entrance to the church is on the west side, above which is a tympanum with an inscribed stone panel from 1854. Although the panel has been damaged, the inscriptions and crosses remain visible. The church features a nave, two aisles, and two apses, with the interior made primarily of plaster-covered stone and large polished stone slabs used for the flooring. Within the neighborhood, there is a small chapel known as the Chapel of Saint David, located on a ridge to the south of the main complex. This rectangular structure is built with repurposed masonry, incorporating ancient sculptural fragments into its walls. The chapel features an internal barrel vault and an externally arched roof. An inscription above the entrance indicates that it served as the burial site of an unknown individual named David, after whom the monastery was named. Adjacent to the Chapel of St. David, two khachkar stones, standing at a height of 6 meters and dated to 1191 and 1194, rise proudly. These stones were carved from a separate rock, and originally there were four, but only two have survived to the present day. Khachkars are traditional Armenian cross-stones, known for their carved memorial design featuring a cross, along with intricate motifs such as rosettes, interlacing patterns, and floral elements. They are a significant example of Medieval Christian Armenian art and were recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010 due to their profound symbolic craftsmanship and cultural significance. If you have any questions or need further information about the Abrenk (Aprank) Vank Church, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply contact us via WhatsApp, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.