Churches of Isfahan

The Armenian region of the province is mainly the Jolfa region. The early Armenian ancestors who are still living in this region by the order of Shah Abbas in 1014 AH. They were moved to Isfahan from their place on the border line of northwest Iran - Jolfa - and by his order, vast lands from the south coast of Zayandeh River were given to them for settlement and their population increased over many years. At present, there are a number of prayer houses-churches and old houses from the Safavid era remaining in this area, and some of these churches are more distinguished than other similar buildings in terms of architectural features and artistic distinctions.

Like Hakopp's churches. Wank Bethlehem Stepanos John Sarkis and... In addition to these churches, Catholic and Protestant Armenians also have their own special church in Seng Tshefa and Hakop Jan neighborhoods.

Hakup Church

Hakop Church is the first Armenian church in this area, which was built in 1065 after the Armenians migrated to Isfahan and is currently located in the yard of Maryam Church. This church is respected and paid special attention to because it is the first established church of Jolfa Armenians. This church was built in 1613 AD at the same time as the reign of Shah Abbas I. This building was built by a person named Khwaja Avtikoder next to the old church of Tarhakup. Mary's Church has a large yard around which there are rest rooms for worshippers. It is located in the middle of the courtyard of the church building, which has columns around it and a one-sided dome. The interior of the church is decorated with paintings and tiles of seven colors.

Bethlehem and Georg churches

This church is located in Jolfa Square, a short distance from Maryam Church. Its building was built by one of the philanthropist Armenians of that period named Khajah Petres Veli Janian, and his picture is placed on the wall of the church. Georgina Church is another interesting and spectacular Armenian church in Jolfa, which is known as the strange church. In this church, large pieces of holy stones - the top of the church - are kept.

Wang Church

This church is the largest and the most beautiful church in Jolfa of Isfahan, which is very interesting in terms of interior decorations and paintings. The arch of Vank Church, which means the Great Church in Armenian, is one of the most beautiful churches in Jolfa, Isfahan, in terms of the gold work on the roof, the inner surface of the dome, and historical paintings, which is unique in its kind. This church is also known by the names - San Su - and - Du a Naperkich - which means Savior in French. The inside of the church and the surrounding walls are decorated with Iranian-style oil and gold paint paintings and pictures of the life of Jesus Christ influenced by Italian painting. Opposite the main door of this church is the bell tower of the church, which was built during the reign of Shah Sultan. Hossein Safavi was built. The historical inscription of the bell - the names of Shah Sultan Hossein and the great caliph and the founder of the building written in Armenian - were installed there in 1702 AD.

Vank Church or Amna Parkej is the name of a church in Jolfa neighborhood of Isfahan. This church is one of the historical Armenian churches of Isfahan and was built during the time of Shah Abbas II. Vank means cathedral in Armenian language.

Armenians were brought to Isfahan after the Great Migration, i.e. in 1605, by order of Shah Abbas II. From the moment they arrived, they started to build a place to live and first of all they built churches. Armenians were people for whom religion was very important. So this made them have a place for prayer and secret and need with their God. The first of them was the Wank Church. Wank was first built in 1604, although this building was much smaller than the current building and was built with a small area.

50 years after the initial construction, at the request and encouragement of the caliph at the time of Davirawal (the caliph is a spiritual person who does not marry and the affairs of the Armenians are in his hands, this person is chosen from Armenia or Lebanon, who are the religious leaders of the Armenians, and is sent to different places where Armenians live ) This place is destroyed and a magnificent and huge building is built in its place. The construction of this place lasted for 9 years and was completed in 1664 during the reign of Shah Abbas II. They build this place to teach monks and to accommodate the Caliph.

This church or Deir Amnapargich (Savior of all) is located in the south of Isfahan in the neighborhood of Jolfa, that is, in the large square of this neighborhood. The huge building and its clock tower are visible from a distance. With this building, we get to know more about the taste of the people of this region, people who left their land and were brought to a strange land and created such a beautiful work. This building has two entrances, the main door is a large wooden door through which people come and go. At the entrance of this entrance, a view of the interior of the deir with azure and gray tiles is decorated above the picture in Armenian writing, "Deir Naji Hamgan is a place for monks". After the entrance, there is a hallway with two rooms on both sides of the hallway, which used to deal with issues related to Armenians. But currently, one of them is used as a small shop and the other as a guard room. The hallway leads to the entrance staircase. On the right side of the staircase is the bell tower. There are two graves under this tower; These graves belong to the Armenian soldier and the other one belongs to the Armenian leader. This tower was built 38 years after the original building. Its cost was borne by an Armenian businessman named Hvanjan Jamalian.

On the right side of this building (Bell Tower) there is a big blue inscription and it is surrounded by cross stones. These cross stones are called Khach Karam in Armenian language, which means the same cross stone. These stones or cross stones are from the ruined churches of Jolfa. They were brought to this place and installed in this wall. On the left side of the bell tower, the Bodhi monument attracts the viewer's eye. This monument is a memorial to the Armenian massacre that took place in the year 1915 by the Ottoman Turks. Every year in this place on the day On April 23rd, a ceremony is held where (Armenian) people gather and light candles and honor the memory of Armenian martyrs.