Construction began around 1606 and was completed in 1664. The cathedral became a spiritual and cultural hub for the Armenian community, serving not only as a place of worship but also as a center of education, printing, and preservation of Armenian culture. First forced 150,000 Armenians to completely abandon their flourishing city of Jugha under penalty of death. He moved them into the heart of Persia, hoping to harness their entrepreneurial and artisanal skills for his empire. In the same year, an edict of the shah established New Julfa, on what was then the outskirts of Isfahan.
The construction of Vank Cathedral began immediately after. The building’s structure combines traditional Armenian architectural styles with the region’s Islamic architecture. The resulting church has rich frescoes and tile work, as do some of the other Armenian churches in New Julfa. The exterior reflects traditional Iranian design with plain brickwork and a modest dome. The walls and ceilings are covered with intricate paintings depicting stories from the Old and New Testaments, alongside floral and geometric Persian motifs.
