Saint Mary Assyrian Church, Assyrian church in Urmia, Iran.
Saint Mary Assyrian Church is a structure of worship displaying Sasanian architectural elements through its stone and brick construction with decorated archways and distinctive structural patterns. The building showcases construction techniques from this architectural tradition through its walls and carefully crafted details.
The church emerged during the period between the 1st and 7th centuries and received crucial support from a Chinese princess in 642 for its reconstruction. This historical connection demonstrates how the early Christian world was linked across vast distances through trade and cultural exchange.
The church serves as a spiritual center where the Assyrian community continues to practice traditional religious ceremonies rooted in ancient liturgical forms. It remains a place where ancient Christian traditions are lived and passed down to new generations.
The church is located on Mirzaian Street in the Mehdi Al Ghadam district and does not offer wheelchair access to all areas. Visitors should check ahead about access restrictions before planning a visit.
The Venetian traveler Marco Polo visited this church during his historic journeys and documented what he saw there. Inscriptions from that period remain visible on the stone walls, serving as a tangible record of his passage.
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