Haho / Hahul

Haho, site of a 10th century monastery, is reached by an unsurfaced track (9km/5.5mi) branching left off the Artvin road a good 20km/12.5mi north of Tortum. Crossing the Tortum Çayi by a Georgian pointed arch bridge, the track continues west along the Vihik Deresi to the village of Bagbasi (bear left once in the valley, near Küçük Dereköy). Beyond the village's administrative office, to the northeast and some 300m/985ft further uphill, stands Haho's famous yellow sandstone monastery church. Originally dedicated to the Virgin, it is now in use as a mosque. The monastery itself, of which very little survives, was founded in the 10th century by the Armenian King David III. Fragments of painting can be seen in the apse which has two side chapels, and some ornate carving still adorns the dome (deer and eagles, lion and bull).