St. Mary's Cathedral, Urmia, Chaldean Catholic cathedral in Urmia, Iran
St. Mary's Cathedral is a church building featuring multiple chambers and a main hall with domes, arches, and supporting pillars that create distinct interior spaces. The complex sits below street level on Mirzaian Street and displays structural design typical of Chaldean Catholic traditions.
Construction of the building took place between 1881 and 1885 as a center for the local Catholic community near the Turkish border. It fell into destruction in 1918 before being reopened and structurally rebuilt in 1954.
This cathedral serves as a spiritual home for the Assyrian Catholic community in the region and reflects their religious traditions and practices. Visitors experience the living presence of this faith community and their connection to this sacred space.
The main entrance is located on Mirzaian Street, where visitors must descend several steps to reach the main prayer hall inside. The split-level layout means taking time to explore the different chambers at varying heights reveals the full layout of the complex.
Archaeological evidence suggests the site originally housed a Zoroastrian fire temple long before becoming a Christian place of worship. This pre-Christian history adds layers of cultural continuity to the location across different periods and faiths.
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