Monday, April 19, 2010

Vank Cathedral of Isfahan


Holy Savior Cathedral (Armenian: Սուրբ Ամենափրկիչ Վանք, Surp Amenaprgich Vank; Persian: کلیسای وانک or آمنا پرکیج, Kelisa-ye Vank or Amenapergich; ), also known as Vank Cathedral and The Church of the Saintly Sisters, is the most visited cathedral in Isfahan, Iran. Vank means "cathedral" in the Armenian language.
Vank Cathedral was one of the first churches to be established in the city's Jolfa district by Armenian immigrants settled by Shah Abbas I after the Ottoman War of 1603-1605. The varying fortunes and independence of this suburb across the Zayandeh River and its eclectic mix of European missionaries, mercenaries and travelers can be traced almost chronologically in the cathedral's combination of building styles and contrasts in its external and internal architectural treatment.