SAEDNEWS: Introduction to the Church of Saint Mary + Photos
According to Saednews, The Hakoop and Holy Mary Church Complex dates back to the Safavid period. It is located in the Jolfa district of Isfahan, on Nazar-e Sharqi Street, at Bozorg Square. Today, Tohid Street runs alongside the complex. The Hakoop and Holy Mary Church Complex was registered as one of Iran’s national heritage sites on March 8, 2003, under registration number 7647.
Hakoop Church, also known as Saint Jacob Church, is the oldest church in Isfahan. It was built in 1607. In 1613, the Holy Mary Church was constructed around it. Today, Hakoop Church stands within the Holy Mary Church complex, on its northern side.
The original plan of Hakoop Church was cruciform. However, after the southern arm was destroyed in 1843, the building took on a rectangular east–west layout measuring approximately 12.2 by 3.9 meters.
The building features three small arched domes, with the central dome being slightly larger than the other two. The domes and roof are supported by arches resting on broad columns attached to the northern and southern walls.
The main construction materials used in Hakoop Church are mud brick and fired brick. The interior walls are covered with plaster, while the exterior walls are finished with a traditional mud-and-straw coating. Above the church's main entrance are two Armenian inscriptions dating to 1607.
Holy Mary Church is the second-oldest church in Isfahan. It was built in 1613 during the Safavid period by a merchant of the time named Avedik Babakian.
The church was constructed using mud brick and fired brick. Its interior walls are covered with plaster and decorated with paintings depicting scenes and subjects from the Bible.
Except on the eastern side, the church is surrounded by a portico supported by twenty carved stone columns. The columns are connected to one another by arches. The outer surfaces of the arches are decorated with glazed tiles in various colors, adding to the visual appeal of the church's exterior.
Several other structures were once located within the church grounds. In 1848, a bell tower was added to the western side of Holy Mary Church, above its entrance. A small chapel dedicated to Saint Stephen is also located adjacent to the southern side of the building.
Saint Hakoop Church is situated nearby, within the courtyard of the Holy Mary Church complex.
