An Analysis on Van-Warak Wank Monastery (Seven Churches) Conservation and Renovation Application Project

Eastern Anatolia Region has received human migrations from East to West; from North to South since early ages in the history till today, in various periods. Each civilization that had dominated the region built some monumental architectural structures which carried land register qualities depending on its political, social and cultural habit, oriented by its economical power. Every kind of architectural buildings of various faiths reverberated on the architecture of Eastern Anatolia Region in spite of tough and hard life circumstances during Middle Ages thanks to Ottoman and Seljuk Empires’ toleration for thoughts. Mutual neighbourliness and toleration mentality had been prevailed in the region for centuries between muslims and Armenians whose faith is monotheist Christian. Nationalism movements which had been supported by imperialist powers had started at the end of the XVII. and beginning of the XVIII. Centuries, increased at the beginning of XIX. century. Armenians that had been known as Loyal Nation in the Ottoman State, caused some undesired incidents to happen being affected by nationalist movements. Van Governorate has started an Application Project work towards renovation for Warak Wank Monastery which is located at Erek Mountain’s foot, east of the today’s City of Van. Warak Wank Monastery was consisted of seven buildings and other complementary sections which were built in different dates as varied architectural forms and functions. Two buildings, consisted of monks’ cells and educational spaces were located in the south-west of the Churches that were built in various periods. Monasteries had survived during centuries in the region. These religious buildings include good examples of Ottoman period’s Christian architecture as well, being an interesting fact about this architecture as had been developing continuously with newer structures. From this aspect, Warak Wank Monastery has importance with Architecture and Art History.