Julfa (Isfahan)

Interior of the Vank Cathedral in Isfahan

Julfa , also New Julfa ( Armenian Նոր Ջուղա Nor-Juga ), is an Armenian district of Isfahan , Iran . It lies on the bank of the Zayandeh Rud River.

After Shah Abbas I conquered Armenia in 1603 and realized two years later that he could not hold the area, he left scorched earth behind and relocated the inhabitants of the weaving town of Julfa to the south of Isfahan.

Around 1880 the approx. 2000 Armenians of the former 13 shiny still owned six dilapidated churches and a nunnery, which was the residence of the Armenian bishop. The Catholics had a church with a small Dominican monastery . The route between New Julfa and Isfahan consisted of a field of rubble.

Today there are still at least 12 churches for the approximately 25,000 Armenian residents of New Julfa. These include the Vank Cathedral , the Bedchem Church , the St. Mary's Church on Dschulfaplatz and the Yerevan Church.

See also

• Saint Thaddäus Monastery
• Saint George Church (Isfahan)

Web links

• Pictures of the Vank Church on Nirupars.com
• Historical Churches in Iran ( Memento from June 5, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) (English)
• Article in the Armenia Media about Isfahan

Coordinates: 32 ° 38 ′ 12 ″  N , 51 ° 39 ′ 20 ″  E