Batman:A centuries-old church located nearly 3,000 meters above sea level has undergone restoration in southeastern T¼rkiye, as local authorities aim to attract more visitors to the mountainous region.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Church of the Virgin Mary, believed to date back to the fourth or fifth century, is situated atop Mount Mereto in the Sason district of Batman province. The restoration work, initiated in 2024, has been completed, as confirmed by provincial Culture and Tourism Director Mehmet Ihsan Aslanli.

The church holds religious significance for Armenian Christians and has already started drawing visitors from Armenia, despite the fact that the official opening ceremony has not yet been held. In addition, Sason District Governor Furkan Basar noted that a mosque is also being constructed next to the church as part of broader tourism development efforts in the area.

Authorities have paved approximately 19 kilometers of road leading to the summit and have developed camping areas, hiking trails, and cafes for visitors. Furthermore, a ski resort is under construction to attract tourists throughout the year. Governor Basar emphasized that these tourism projects are linked to improved security under T¼rkiye's 'Terror-Free T¼rkiye' initiative, which aims to end decades of conflict involving the PKK terrorist group. Basar remarked on the gradual benefits being reaped from tourism even at the highest peak in the southeast.