Current building of the church belongs to Sassanian era and its interior design is a combination of Sassanian and Arsacid architecture.
Church of St. Mary does not look like other churches. It is furnished by hand made carpets and does not have any benches. It also doesn't have a confessional. After entering the church through its short door you will see a panel on which is written "DRAW NOT NIGH HITHER PUT OFF THY SHOES FROM OFF THY FEET FOR THE PLACE WHERE ON THOU STANDEST IS HOLY GROUND" which means: Take your shoes off for the place you stand on is a holy ground.
It is believed by some Assyrian and Christian historians that it had been a "Fire temple" at first in which Zoroastrian priests used to pray. At Jesus Christ' time of birth three priests observed a shining star moving toward east. They considered it as a sign of awaited Messiah's birth and traveled to Jerusalem to meet him. After coming back they change the fire temple to a church.
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Location: Urmia city, west Azarbaijan
Days of trip: (Without air plane) 3 Days from Tehran to Tehran (Without heavy traffic you need About 10-12 hr driving from Tehran to Urmia)
Attention: In holidays there is heavy traffic in all roads around Tehran.
Best time to visit: No limit, but spring is b best time.
Daily time visit: No permission at night
Difficulty level: Easy
Requirements: (Depend on your plan) Guide or GPS track, water, food, warm and waterproof clothes and tent
Legal permission need: No
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Overall risk: -
Animal risk: No
Lost risk: No
Rescue: Yes, you can call 115
GSM Mobile Antenna: Yes
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Hotel: Yes
Shop: Yes
Gasoline: Yes
Village: Located in Urmia city
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How to get there:
1- Go to west terminal of buses in Tehran (more info), Also you can use train.
2- Take a bus ticket to Urmia.
3- Take a taxi to the mosque
Nearest airport: Urmia airport
Nearest train station: Tabriz station
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Location on map:
[googlemaphttps://maps.google.com/maps?q=%DA%A9%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%A7+%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%85+%D9%86%D9%86%D9%87&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=37.544178,45.068021&spn=0.00259,0.005252&sll=30.10459,31.316363&sspn=0.09044,0.168056&t=m&z=18&iwloc=A[/googlemap]
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