Wank Church

 

Wank Church is one of the largest historical and religious attractions in the Jolfa district and one of Isfahan’s landmarks. Wank Church was built by Armenian immigrants during the reign of Shah Abbas Safavid; Of course, its original shape was different from today's building. Initially, the church had only a religious application for Christians; But today the greatest attention is paid to the historical dimension and the cultural attraction of the church.

The Julfa district of Isfahan, where the Wank Church is located, has long been home to Armenian immigrants in Iran. During the Safavid period, Shah Abbas I ordered the retreat of the Iranians in the war with the Ottomans. On their return, the Iranian army passed through Armenia. By order of Shah Abbas, large sections of the route were destroyed to prevent the Ottomans from advancing, and in the meantime the Armenian people were threatened with massacre. For this reason, Shah Abbas decided to bring Armenians to Iran and settle them. At the end of this long migration, Shah Abbas and his troops arrived in Isfahan with the Armenian people and Shah Abbas provided land to the Armenians in the Julfa region.

 

Wank Church dates from 1606; But at that time there was a small church in part of the current building called Jacob

The old form of the Jolfa district was very different from its current form. Over time, Armenians decided to build in the region and build various facilities, including a religious building, to carry out their religious relations. Through the efforts of Armenians living in Isfahan in the Yolfa district, 24 churches were established by the end of the 17th century; While the number of churches in other parts of Isfahan at that time reached 6; Unfortunately, only 13 churches remain today.

 

Wank Church dates from 1606 AD. At that time, only a small building, known as the Church of James, was built in the southwestern part of today's building. This small church has been used by the Christian clergy for 50 years, during which time many priests and caliphs have been trained in this church. SubGenius Church later became the cornerstone of Amena Perkich or Vank Church. At the entrance of Wank Church there is an engraved text showing the antiquity of Wank Church. The text of this inscription is as follows:

 

Vanak Amena Perkic and the residence of the Armenian archbishop in 1606

 

Fifty years later, in 1655, the inhabitants of Julfa, during the reign of Shah Abbas II, began construction of the main building of the church, which is almost the same today. The construction of the new church Wank took place from 1655 to 1664, ie. nearly 10 years. From 1905 the process of expanding the churchyard was started by Armenians and new buildings were built on the site.

 

Paintings around the altar of Wank Church

The Wank Church Museum also opened in 1905 and was both a museum and a library until 1930. Over time, the various sections of the Wank Church were completed and various sections were created in the complex, such as the prayer hall, church entrance tower and office buildings. . At the beginning of the western entrance of the Wank Church there is an inscription of azure tiles with a gold inscription on which is engraved the following text:

 

The church of Wank Amena Pergic began in 1655 during the reign of King Abbas II and the Orthodox "Philip" and the leadership of Caliph "David" with the help of the people of Julfa and ended in 1664. The prize for the service in this church is for those who are alive or in the past.

 

The Armenian builder of Isfahan in the area of ​​Yolfa caused the formation of new architecture in this neighborhood and among the various buildings, the Wank Church is considered the most famous building. Today, this original area of ​​Isfahan is known as the "New Julfa Quarter" and tourists and travelers visit the Wank Church as one of the most famous historical monuments in the city.

 

 

The architectural style of the Great Dome is quite similar to the architecture of the domes of mosques, while the dome of traditional churches is conical. According to the year of construction of this building in the Safavid period, during the construction of this dome they modeled the architectural models of the mosques at that time. The outer shell of the dome is made of brick, and the inner shell is painted in azure. Eight windows are mounted around this large round dome. Between these windows, inside the dome, there are paintings and drawings.

 

The paintings on the dome of Wank Church are one of its most beautiful attractions and it is very pleasant for tourists to see them. On the azure shell of the Great Dome are images of the creation of Adam and Eve, the story of Adam eating the forbidden fruit, and the story of Abel and Cain.

 

On the roof of the church and near the small dome there is another bell, which is built in a square space with three-meter columns. These columns are connected at the top with wooden beams and between the columns there are truncated arches.