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Richard Stone | profile | all galleries >> Middle East >> Iran >> North Western Iran >> Maku, Iran >> Qareh Kelisa, Iran tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Qareh Kelisa, Iran


Lonely and brooding in a windswept plain, Qareh Kelisa (the St. Thaddeus Monastery) is the most important of Iran's World Heritage Ensemble of Historic Armenian Churches. See also Saint Stephanos Church.

It is said that the original church was founded by the apostle St Thaddeus in AD 43 who was later killed by the Armenian King.

A more permanent church was built in his memory in AD 371, making it one of the oldest churches in the world! The earliest parts of the church made use of black and white stone from which its Persian name "Qareh Kelisa" (the Black Church), is derived.

Much of the current structure however dates from more recent times. The exterior is richly decorated with Saints, Angels, Kings and crosses.

With atmosphere in bucket loads, it was one of my favourite places in Iran.

Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus Church), Iran
Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus Church), Iran		 Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus Church), Iran
Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus Church), Iran		 Reflief of St George slaying the Dragon
Reflief of St George slaying the Dragon		 Ornate cross, Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus Church)
Ornate cross, Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus Church)
Ornate exterior, Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus Church)
Ornate exterior, Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus Church)		 Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus Church), Iran
Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus Church), Iran		 Entrance to Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus Church), Iran
Entrance to Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus Church), Iran		 Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus) Altar
Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus) Altar
Mary and Jesus, Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus) Altar
Mary and Jesus, Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus) Altar		 Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus) Altar
Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus) Altar		 The Belfry, Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus), Iran
The Belfry, Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus), Iran		 The intricate Tree of Life carved on the exterior ot Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus).
The intricate Tree of Life carved on the exterior ot Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus).
Ornate exterior, Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus), Iran
Ornate exterior, Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus), Iran		 Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus), Iran
Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus), Iran		 Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus), Iran
Qareh Kelisa (St. Thaddeus), Iran

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