Photograph: The Armenian Varagavank in Van is on the Verge of Destruction

The Armenian Varagavank monastery complex located in the Bakrachlu village of the Ipekyolu district in Turkey's Van province is on the verge of destruction. This was reported by Ermenihaber.

Most of the churches in the complex no longer exist. What remains are only the walls and stones. Only one church has been partially preserved, which is also on the brink of collapse.

According to Turkish sources, the church is currently under the care of a 63-year-old Kurdish shepherd living in the village. It has been noted that the monastery complex has never been renovated under any administration and has been left to deteriorate by the state.

In Van alone, there are over 100 churches, but only two have been restored: the St. Cross Church on Akhtamar Island in Lake Van and the Virgin Mary Church located in Edremit (Artamet).

It is noteworthy that the Varagavank was built in the 7th century in the historic Vaspurakan region, in the southeastern part of Van, on the western slope of Mount Varaga. It previously served as the seat of the Archbishop of Van.