PRESS TV, Iran
March 24 2007
Vank Cathedral, a specimen of Armenian architecture
Sat, 24 Mar 2007 22:56:28
Among the churches built in the Jolfa District of Isfahan, the
magnificent and architecturally significant "Vank" Cathedral is the
most famous.
The construction of the cathedral, also known as Amna Perkich and All
Savior’s Cathedral, began during the reign of Shah Abbas of the
Safavid Dynasty in 1606 and was completed between 1655 and 1664.
The interior of the church is elaborately decorated with wall
paintings, tile work and also tableaus depicting the life of Jesus
Christ. Apart from the paintings which are imitations of Italian
styles, the architecture and all the decorations are totally Iranian.
The cathedral also has a domed sanctuary much alike an Islamic mosque
but with the significant addition of a semi-octagonal apse and raised
chancel usually observed in western churches. The delicately blue and
gold painted central dome depicts the Biblical story of the creation
of Adam and Eve as well as their expulsion from Paradise.
The cathedral also houses a rather small but unique museum, a
historic printing press, and a large library invaluable for research
in Armenian and medieval European languages and arts.
The museum, adding to the significance of the site displays
historical objects, manuscripts and documents related to Armenian
history. The oldest book printed in Isfahan and some edicts of
Iranian kings dating back to the time of Shah Abbas the First are
among the exhibits.
The printing press was founded by Bishop Khachatoor in the 17th
century and the first book printed here was The Psalms. This unique
edition, the only one in the world, is preserved in Oxford, England.
An exemplary specimen of Armenian architectural achievement, the
cathedral represents different stages of political, economic and
social status of this minority community in Iran since the
mid-seventeenth century.
The Vank Cathedral was one of the first churches to be established in
Isfahan by Armenian immigrants settled by Shah Abbas I after the
Ottoman War of 1603-05.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress