The lost heritage of Armenian churches

Before the Armenian Genocide of 1915, 2,327 churches and 434 monastic complexes were active on the territory of historical Armenia. Most of the spiritual centres were in the province of Baghesh (Bitlis), with 510 churches. Van came second with 457, while 406 churches were recorded in Karin (Erzurum). In Adana, Tigranakert (Diyarbakır) and Kharberd (Harput), too, Armenian places of worship numbered in the hundreds.

The photograph shows a monastery complex with several domed churches in a mountain gorge, surrounded by rocks. In the centre, near a church entrance, sits a person in white clothing.

Today most of this vast heritage has turned to ruins or has disappeared completely.