The church of Santa Maria

The church of Santa Maria is located in the town of Ardabil (homonymous region). There is no information about the exact date of construction of this church but the 1876 date is engraved on the entrance door, which is related to the year of the donation of the door and its installation.

The overall appearance of the church's brick building is rectangular and the internal square structure with four high blind arches. This building has a pointed arch on which is placed an umbrella dome shaped like an umbrella.

The windows were built under the dome and in the part of the wall and provide light inside the church. In the courtyard there are tombs and crosses have been carved on the stones.

The apse of the church is located in the east part of the building and is decorated with cedar-shaped or bright green and orange flowers on a light blue background. Some decoration jumps to the eye under the church walls.

On the wooden door with beautiful geometric motifs this phrase was written in Armenian characters by means of reed-cut pieces: "This door is the true house of God and was given as a souvenir by Agālus Malik Mirzāyānes to the church of St. Mary".

This church was active until the year 1944 and in the same year the last religious ceremony and group prayer took place. Later, due to the emigration of the Armenian families to Tabriz and Tehrān, the carrying out of religious services in this church was interrupted.

Currently the annexed buildings including the hammam and the madrasa have disappeared and now this historic building has been restored and has changed its function.