More atmospheric than the churches in Orumiyeh itself is the Assyrian Orthodox Marsarjis Church in the hillside hamlet of Sir (5.6km west of Pol-e-Qoyum). Despite a somewhat heavy-handed 1987 renovation, the bare stone walls of its twin cave-like chambers feel genuinely ancient. Ask for the key holder at the teahouse beside the church.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
5.14 MILES
Dominating the bazaar, the impressively large brick-domed Friday Masjed-e Jameh dates back to Seljuk and Ilkhanid times and features some interesting…
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4.73 MILES
Tucked away in a quiet mini park, this two-storey tomb tower (dating from 1115) may have started out as a Sassanian fire temple, like many Iranian Islamic…
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4.5 MILES
According to local Assyrian Orthodox Christians, St Mary’s was founded by St Thomas on the grave site of one of the Biblical magi, the pre-Islamic Persian…
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3.99 MILES
Fronted by two stone rams, this small but richly endowed museum displays fabulously ancient pottery and fine cuneiform inscription stones. Its most eye…
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4.94 MILES
The architecturally fanciful Sardar Mosque has a Qajar-style tri-lobed cornice, a beautifully brick-vaulted interior and a blocky clock-tower minaret…
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6.09 MILES
A popular local weekend excursion is to this dam 19km west of the centre, followed by chay at one of the riverside teahouses in Band (9km from Orumiyeh).
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4.38 MILES
Dominating Enqelab Sq and looking great under floodlights, this 1932 European-style city hall should not be photographed.
Nearby Iran attractions
3.99 MILES
Fronted by two stone rams, this small but richly endowed museum displays fabulously ancient pottery and fine cuneiform inscription stones. Its most eye…
4.38 MILES
Dominating Enqelab Sq and looking great under floodlights, this 1932 European-style city hall should not be photographed.
4.5 MILES
According to local Assyrian Orthodox Christians, St Mary’s was founded by St Thomas on the grave site of one of the Biblical magi, the pre-Islamic Persian…
4.73 MILES
Tucked away in a quiet mini park, this two-storey tomb tower (dating from 1115) may have started out as a Sassanian fire temple, like many Iranian Islamic…
4.94 MILES
The architecturally fanciful Sardar Mosque has a Qajar-style tri-lobed cornice, a beautifully brick-vaulted interior and a blocky clock-tower minaret…
5.14 MILES
Dominating the bazaar, the impressively large brick-domed Friday Masjed-e Jameh dates back to Seljuk and Ilkhanid times and features some interesting…
6.09 MILES
A popular local weekend excursion is to this dam 19km west of the centre, followed by chay at one of the riverside teahouses in Band (9km from Orumiyeh).