Kelisa-ye Vank

Built between 1648 and 1655 with the encouragement of the Safavid rulers, Kelisa-ye Vank (Vank Cathedral) in the Armenian neighborhood of Jolfa is the historic focal point of the Armenian Church in Iran. The sumptuous interior is richly decorated with restored wall paintings full of life and color, including gruesome martyrdom and pantomime demons. The highlight of the museum is a fabulous collection of illustrated gospels and Bibles, some dating back as far as the 10th century.

Courtyard

The courtyard contains a large freestanding belfry towering over the graves of both Orthodox and Protestant Christians. A tile work plaque inscribed in Armenian can be seen by the entrance to the cathedral. Graves are also placed along the exterior wall before the entrance, with inscriptions in Armenian. In one corner of the courtyard, there is a raised area with a memorial to the 1915 Armenian Genocide in Turkey. Across the courtyard and facing the cathedral, there is a building housing a library and museum. Outside of this building are several carved stones showing scenes from the Bible.

Library and museum

The library contains over 700 handwritten books and many valuable and unique resources for research in Armenian and medieval European languages and arts. The museum displays numerous artifacts from the history of the cathedral and the Armenian community in Isfahan, including:

• the 1606 edict of Shah Abbas I establishing New Julfa;
• several edicts by Abbas I and his successors condemning and prohibiting interference with, or persecution of, Armenians and their property and affairs;
• a historic printing press and the first book printed in Iran;
• vestments, monstrances, chalices, and other sacramentalartifacts;
• Safavidcostumes, tapestries, European paintings brought back by Armenian merchants, embroidery, and other treasures from the community’s trading heritage;
• ethnological displays portraying aspects of Armenian culture and religion;
• an extensive display of photographs, maps, and Turkish documents (with translation) related to the 1915 Armenian Genocidein Turkey.

The cathedral has greatly influenced the architecture and decorative treatment of many subsequent Orthodox churches in the region.