Vank Cathedral
Vank Cathedral, the Church of Saintly Sisters, is the largest and most beautiful church in Jolfa region of Isfahan, which is named after the church "AmenaPerkic Vank" in Jogha, Nakhchivan; Vank means monastery in Armenian.
The region known as Jolfa in in Isfahan is bordered in south by Shariati Street, in north by Nazar Markazi Street, in east by Tohid Street, and in west by Hakim Nezami Street. This Cathedral, which is one of the historical Cathedrals of the Armenians in Isfahan, was built during the reign of Shah Abbas II. This church has been developed over 50 years and has become what it is today. Vank Cathedral, which includes the main church, the courtyard, the belfry, the library, the museum, the clock tower, the rooms for the bishop's residence, as well as the meeting halls and the printing office, has an area of 8731 square meters; 3857 square meters of which belong to the buildings while the rest belong to Vank green space and garden. The belfry was built during the reign of Shah Sultan Hussein in front of the main entrance in Persian style.
The cathedral includes a high dome, high walls and beautiful ceilings with rectangular plan directing towards the east. The interior of the cathedral shows an example of Armenian architecture and its exterior is designed using Iranian architecture with a professional combination of two architectural styles. The materials used in the building of Vank Cathedral were made of brick; all the interior corners of the cathedral are covered with plaster, and decorated with oil paint and gold in the Iranian style with some images of Jesus Christ’s life. The interior paintings of this cathedral are one of the most important and miraculous parts of Vank Cathedral. In the courtyard, there are tombs of Khashatur Kasratisi (father of the publishing industry) and David (Archbishop). There are museums, libraries and offices around Vank Cathedral.
Vank Museum
Vank cathedral Museum is the Armenian Anthropological Museum of Iran and Isfahan, displaying important historical works. Manuscripts, copies of Armenian documents and books in Armenian script, paintings, religious tools, metal ornaments, clothes, fabrics, porcelain and pottery are some objects in this museum. Other important sections of Vank Church Museum include the Printing Industry Collection and the Armenian Genocide Collection.
Tags: Isfahan Province, Isfahan Attractions, Churches in Iran , Christianity in Iran, Vank Cathedral, Jolfa Isfahan, churches in Isfahan
