About The Vank Cathedral (also called Holy Savior Cathedral or the Church of the Saintly Sisters), in Isfahan, Iran:
Commonly called the Vank Cathedral (which means “monastery” or “convent” in the Armenian language) is an Armenian Apostolic cathedral located in the New Julfa district of Isfahan, Iran. The cathedral was established in 1606, built by the hundreds of thousands of Iranian Armenians who were forcibly resettled by Abbas the Great in his new capital as part of his scorched-earth policy in Armenia during the Ottoman–Safavid War (1603–1618). It was completed with major alterations to the design between 1655 and 1664 under the supervision of Archbishop David. The cathedral consists of a domed sanctuary, much like an Iranian mosque, but with the significant addition of a semi-octagonal apse and raised chancel usually seen in Western-style churches. The cathedral’s exteriors are in relatively modern brickwork and are exceptionally plain compared to its elaborately decorated interior.
The interior is covered with fine frescoes and gilded carvings and includes a wainscot of rich tile work. The ceiling above the entrance is painted with delicate floral motifs. The delicately blue and gold painted central dome depicts the Biblical story of the creation of the world and man’s expulsion from Eden.
Columns throughout the church are painted with a motif of a cherub’s head surrounded by folded wings, which is typical of Armenian art.. Two sections, or bands, of murals run around the interior walls: the top section depicts events from the life of Jesus, while the bottom section depicts tortures inflicted upon Armenian martyrs by the Ottoman Turks.
Address:
Vank Church Alley,
Isfahan,Isfahan Province, Iran
Phone: +98 31 3624 3471