Vank Church Vank Church is located on a steep hillside between two elevations, approximately three kilometers from the nearby village, perched atop a high hill. It was built at least three centuries ago by the Armenian community that formerly lived in the area. The entrance façade is crafted from finely cut stone. One of the church’s most striking features is its door, framed by an arch composed of precisely cut white stones at both the top and bottom. The door stones are decorated with numerous crosses in various styles and sizes. Above the door, the window is set within a carved niche, flanked on each side by two candle slots. Sadly, during the 1970s, the church’s two-winged door, which was highly artistic and featured inscriptions along with embossed human and animal motifs carved from coconut walnut wood, was stolen by thieves. The iron door jamb has been preserved and is currently exhibited at the Elazig Museum. The roof features a flat design covered with soil, and rainwater is channeled off through two gargoyle lions with open mouths. Inside, the structure is divided into two separate sections. The first section consists of a large, high-ceilinged hall, while the second section is narrower and includes a round barrel vault. This area is adorned with black and white tiles placed perpendicular to each other. Over time, erosion has revealed parts of the foundation stones through the tile gaps, confirming its square layout. The apse stands 90 centimeters above floor level and can be reached by a stone step on the left side. Symmetrically placed niches flank the apse, and a flat brick altar table is supported by a half-meter column at the center. Some stones on the southwest and west walls carry inscriptions, hinting at another building or section of the church that was once visible when the area was cluttered with stone debris. Historical stones from the old church, including carvings of birds, a wheat-cross enclosed in a circle, and a stylized wheat ear, were reused in the construction of a nearby new house. One large relief cross on a tombstone is thought to have been relocated from an older adjacent site. If you have any questions or inquiries about Vank Church, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us on Whatsapp, and we will reply promptly.