A Review on the Current Situation of Christian Buildings in the Old City of Van

The Old City of Van, located south of the historical Van Castle, was actively used from the Urartians until 1915. The city is surrounded by walls on the east, south, and west, with the north being enclosed by Van Castle. Access to the city is provided through four gates in the walls. Muslims and Armenians lived side by side in the city for centuries in good neighborly relations. Armenians resided in the eastern part of the city, Kurds in the northwest corner, and Turks predominantly in the central areas. Although the majority of the city's population was Muslim, it is known that the population changed over the years. Signs of decline, which began to be felt in the Ottoman Empire from the 18th century onwards, were also evident in Van. The coexistence between Muslims and Armenians in Van, which lasted until the late 19th century, came to an end due to the incitement of foreign missionaries. The city, occupied by the Russians in 1915, was completely devastated and abandoned when it was recaptured in 1918. The Van region, hosting various civilizations from prehistoric times, has been under the influence of different cultures. All these diverse cultures have played a significant role in the civil, military, and religious architecture of the Old City of Van, reflecting on the city's structure throughout its settlement processes. During the Ottoman period, the Old City of Van formed a cultural mosaic where people of various ethnic backgrounds coexisted. In this atmosphere of tolerance during the Ottoman Empire, Muslims and Christian communities, including Armenians, built numerous religious structures. In the early 19 th century, there were eight Christian churches in the Old City of Van, namely Surp Trimayr (Virgin Mary), Surp Vardan, Surp Paulos, Surp Petros (Double Church), Surp Nesan (Single), Surp Sahak, Surp Dziranavar, and Surp Stefenos Churches. These churches were administratively linked to the Seven Churches on the slopes of Mount Erek to the east of Van. Some of these structures, struggling to partially stand today, have undergone restoration work.