Painted interior
Walls and dome.
Ghazalyegane — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Fatemeh Nazaralizadeh — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Fariba.tavakkoli — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ebrahim Rahiminezhad — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Moein Ashoori — CC BY-SA 4.0
Vank Cathedral is an Armenian church in the New Julfa district of Isfahan, officially the Holy Savior Cathedral. Outside it looks plain, of brick, with a dome like those of Iranian mosques and a clock bell tower; inside, the walls are covered with colourful paintings and gilded decoration. It was begun in 1606 by the Armenians whom Shah Abbas I settled in New Julfa beside his capital, and completed with major changes between 1655 and 1664. Its design joins a dome in the style of Iranian mosques with a semi-octagonal apse and raised chancel as in Western churches. Fine frescoes, gilded carvings and a band of colourful tiles cover the interior, and the central dome is painted in blue and gold. You enter the courtyard to see the bell tower and dome, then step inside for the paintings. The cathedral is still the centre of Isfahan's Armenian community. It is about 2.3 km in a straight line south of central Isfahan. Dress modestly. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Iran and warns that British nationals risk detention, so check official guidance before making any plans. We could not confirm the current state of this site.
Walls and dome.
With its clock.
In Iranian style.
New Julfa district, south of the Zayande River, Isfahan
Yes, for Isfahan's Armenians.
The painted interior.
