Ahlat (ancient Xlat), located at the northwest of Lake Van, eastern Turkey, known worldwide for its huge Seljuk necropolis, has a widespread rock-cut settlement which was surveyed by Centro Studi Sotterranei of Genoa (Italy) during 2007-2010, as a partner of Gazi University of Ankara. Here, in addition to water works and service facities, ancient underground evidence of three religions has been found: a mosque, partially still in use, a temple considered Buddhist from the Mongol times, the remains of four older Armenian monasteries, know in written sources, but until then considered “lost”.
