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Bahçesaray (Armenian: Մոկս, romanized: Moks, Kurdish: Miks[3]) is municipality and district of Van Province, Turkey.[4] Its area is 426 km2,[5] and its population is 13,495 (2022).[2] It was a bucak in Pervari District of Siirt Province until 1964 and in Gevaş district of Van Province between 1964 and 1987. It is at a distance of 110 kilometres (68 mi) from Van. The town is built on the banks of the Bahçesaray River.[6]
Bahçesaray | |
---|---|
District and municipality | |
![]() Central mosque in Bahçesaray | |
Map showing Bahçesaray District in Van Province | |
Coordinates: 38°07′43″N 42°48′27″E | |
Country | Turkey |
Province | Van |
Government | |
• Mayor | Meki Arvas[1] (AKP) |
Area | 426 km2 (164 sq mi) |
Population (2022)[2] | 348,046 |
• Density | 820/km2 (2,100/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+3 (TRT) |
Postal code | 65710 |
Area code | 0432 |
Website | www |
The name comes from Persian bāghche-sarāy, which means "the Garden Palace". Its former name was Müküs, derived from Armenian Mokkʿ (Armenian: Մոկք) region. The Kurdish Miks derives from the Armenian. The word "Mokk'" in classical Armenian language means: "the place of the magic". According to the legend, Amenap'rkich ("All-Saving") monastery that was nearby Moks, has the grave of a magician by name Gaspar. Probably name of "the place of the magic" or just "Mokk" is connected with this mysterious personality. But scientific sources say that in the Urartu era there existed the Moxene tribe and Moxoene, so the names Mokk' and Moks originated from this tribe's name.
The district corresponds to Historical Armenia's Mok Arandznak district, which was part of the greater province of Moxoene. The district has several ancient Armenian monasteries and churches.[7] The Aparank monastery is located in the vicinity of the town.[8]
In the 19th century Bahçesaray was the center of the Kurdish Emirate of Müküs,[9] until the emirate was defeated by the troops of Ottoman Empire in 1846.[10]
On 4 and 5 February 2020, a pair of avalanches struck a highway in the district, leaving at least 41 people dead and 84 others injured.[11]
There are 20 neighbourhoods in Bahçesaray District:[12]
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