Bedkhem Church

The Bedkhem church is one of the biggest and greatest churches of Jolfa quarter in Isfahan. This church is named after the Bedkhem city in Palestine, which is assumed to be the birth city of Jesus which is the main reason why the building is names such.
It is constructed on 1628 in Safavid dynasty. All the constructions costs were paid by Khaje Petros valijanian, a rich merchant in that time.
Both exterior and interior of church has wonderful design. In addition, it has the biggest dome among Isfahan’s churches. According to Daily Telegraph newspaper, in a published article on 2016, it is included in 23 most beautiful churches of the world’s list.
The construction of this church has an interesting story which is mentioned in ‘Isfahan’s Jolfa History book’: constructor of Saint Mary church had ordered the church’s servant not to allow Khaje Petros to enter the church so he would be forced to build another church.
In the following it is said that the church was so populated that he could not find any place to stand so he decided to build another church even more beautiful.
The building is almost in square plan (a little longer length). Inside the church is tree different parts.
First one is a balcony with a wooden roof where is the place of engaged girls and brides in the ceremonies. The second part is the basic and central part, it has 4 columns. The third part includes altar and two praying rooms with a vaulted roof.