Iran Isfahan: Vank Cathedral

You may be surprised to see a Cathedral in Iran.  The Vank cathedral was established in 1606, built by the hundreds of thousands of Armenians that were forcibly resettled by Shah Abbas I in his new capital as part of his scorched-earth policy in Armenia during the Ottoman War of 1603-1618.
The Vank Church is one of the most beautiful and largest churches in the Jolfa vicinity of Isfahan. Its gilded ceiling, interior section of the dome and fine historical paintings are matchless. Internally, the walls are adorned with oil paintings that are also gilded similar to that of Iranian art. Religious paintings revealing an Italian touch can be observed here.