Holy Hohannes Church

The Holy Hohannes Church (Armenian: Սուրբ Հովհաննես‎), also known as the "Hovanes Church of Maragheh", is located in the city of Maragheh in East Azerbaijan Province and is regarded as one of the city's important religious and historical landmarks. The only church in Maragheh, it belongs to the Armenian Catholic community, and its name comes from John the Apostle, who is called "Hohannes" in Armenian culture.

The earliest history of the church goes back to the 5th and 6th centuries AD, but the present building was reconstructed in 1840 by Sardar Samsonkhan with the help of Russian and French architects. The church is laid out in a roughly square plan and consists of three separate sections: one for the archbishop, one for a school, and one for lighting candles and burning incense. The facade is made of brick, and the western part has an arched portal and a pyramidal dome with a gabled roof; the bell tower is 12 metres high. The church was of particular importance during the Mongol Ilkhanid era, but today it is effectively unused because the Armenians have moved to Tehran and other cities. The main entrance is on the western side, through the doorway under the domed arch, and the portal is topped by a pyramidal drum dome and a bell.

In recent years, restoring this church has become a priority for Maragheh's cultural heritage authorities. Visitors can find it in the city of Maragheh, at the intersection of Imam Khomeini Street and Gilaslig Street. The best time to visit is the mild seasons of spring and autumn, when the weather and light are well suited to viewing the architectural details. When visiting this religious site, visitors are strongly advised to respect the structure of the building, keep quiet and orderly inside, and avoid damaging any historical parts, so that this valuable heritage is preserved.