Monastery of St. Amenaprkich

Site visited January 2016. Armenian monastery of St. Amenaprkich or ’Vank Cathedral’ is the latest architectural sight of Isfahan added to the tentative list and yet again an Armenian heritage on Iranian UNESCO list.

The special position of Armenians in Iran is an interesting fact, especially if one think about the Armenians’ relationship to the other two mainly Islamic neighbours. That kind of religious tolerance in a society like Iran is very surprising. But there are some historical reasons for this. In 1606, during Ottoman-Safavid War, Shah Abbas I transported 150 000 Armenians from original Julfa (nowadays in the northern border of Iran) to the outskirts of Isfahan, and named the village ’New Julfa’. Shah Abbas appreciated Armenian merchants, craftsmen and artists, and ensured that their religious freedom was respected. He hoped that the Armenian merchants would benefit the country with their silk trading skills. The construction of Vank Cathedral began soon after the New Julfa has been established.

Although it is today a lot smaller, New Julfa is still one of the largest and oldest Armenian quarters in the World. There are about 5000 Armenian residents, 16 Armenian churches and an Armenian graveyard in New Julfa. Comparing to the rest of Isfahan, the New Julfa district is like a different world. The atmosphere is more liberal and relaxed. Therefore the district is popular among young people. Vank Cathedral is a centrepiece of New Julfa district and Armenian culture in Isfahan. Armenians have also had bigger influences in …