Historic Mountaintop Church Reopens After Restoration in Southeastern Türkiye
(MENAFN) A historic church situated nearly 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) above sea level in southeastern Türkiye has undergone restoration, as local officials work to boost tourism across the region’s mountainous areas.
The Church of the Virgin Mary, thought to have been built during the fourth or fifth century, is located at the summit of Mount Mereto in the Sason district of Batman province. The mountain reaches an elevation of 2,978 meters (9,770 feet).
Restoration efforts began in 2024 and have now been completed, provincial Culture and Tourism Director Mehmet Ihsan Aslanli said. However, an official inauguration event has not yet been held.
The site is considered an important religious landmark for Armenian Christians and has already welcomed visiting groups from Armenia, Aslanli added.
Sason District Governor Furkan Basar said construction was also underway on a mosque beside the church, forming part of a wider initiative to expand tourism infrastructure and attract more visitors to the area.
As part of the development plans, authorities have paved around 19 kilometers (12 miles) of road connecting the mountain summit to the surrounding area. They have also established camping facilities, walking routes and cafes to accommodate tourists.
A ski resort is additionally being built, with officials seeking to make the destination attractive to visitors during all seasons.
Basar attributed the progress in tourism development to improved security conditions under Türkiye’s ongoing “Terror-Free Türkiye” initiative, which seeks to bring an end to decades of conflict involving the PKK terrorist group.
“We are gradually beginning to reap the benefits of tourism even at the highest peak in the southeast,” he said.
The Church of the Virgin Mary, thought to have been built during the fourth or fifth century, is located at the summit of Mount Mereto in the Sason district of Batman province. The mountain reaches an elevation of 2,978 meters (9,770 feet).
Restoration efforts began in 2024 and have now been completed, provincial Culture and Tourism Director Mehmet Ihsan Aslanli said. However, an official inauguration event has not yet been held.
The site is considered an important religious landmark for Armenian Christians and has already welcomed visiting groups from Armenia, Aslanli added.
Sason District Governor Furkan Basar said construction was also underway on a mosque beside the church, forming part of a wider initiative to expand tourism infrastructure and attract more visitors to the area.
As part of the development plans, authorities have paved around 19 kilometers (12 miles) of road connecting the mountain summit to the surrounding area. They have also established camping facilities, walking routes and cafes to accommodate tourists.
A ski resort is additionally being built, with officials seeking to make the destination attractive to visitors during all seasons.
Basar attributed the progress in tourism development to improved security conditions under Türkiye’s ongoing “Terror-Free Türkiye” initiative, which seeks to bring an end to decades of conflict involving the PKK terrorist group.
“We are gradually beginning to reap the benefits of tourism even at the highest peak in the southeast,” he said.
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