The Top Holy Houses of Armenians in Isfahan (Armenian Churches)

Visiting New Julfa never ceases to inspire, thanks to the historical houses and Armenian Apostolic Churches. During the reign of Shah Abbas I, a new phase of war began between the Safavids and the Ottoman empire. In 1601, the Safavid army was forced to draw back and to prevent the Ottoman army from crossing the southern part of Aras river, Shah Abbas ordered the evacuation of all the residential neighborhoods located in the Ararat plateau and the Nakhchivan region. As a result, an obligatory migration was organized and Armenians were settled in different regions of Iran, including Gilan, Mazandaran, Hamedan, Kashan, Fereydan, Chaharmahal-va-Bakhtiari, Shiraz, and Isfahan.

 Among the Armenians who were forced to migrate to Isfahan, there were merchants, artisans and craftsmen. Upon their arrival in Isfahan, they were settled along the south bank of the Zayandehrud river and their new home became known as New Jolfa. This quarter is still prospering as the residence of Armenian people who have preserved their own language and identity, while obeying the Iranian laws.

During the reign of the Safavid dynasty, New Jolfa’s prosperity and beauty owed to the mastery of its new residents in arts, commerce and industry as well as the beautiful houses and churches located in this quarter. Settling down in Isfahan, Armenian people were influenced by the Iranian architecture and manifested it by combining their own architectural techniques, traditions and beliefs with those of the Iranian culture. For instance, churches in Isfahan feature a large dome, similar to that of a mosque, instead of conical or semi-conical domes or copulas installed over the Western churches. The characteristics of the Islamic and Safavid architecture are evident in the houses of New Jolfa too.