Tehran – Armenian churches and cemeteries in Iranian cities in Abadan and Avaz have important potential to boost cultural tourism, according to Iranian lawmakers representing the Armenian community.
Gegad Mansolian, the Armenian representative of Isfahan and Iranian parliament’s southern Iranian parliament, recently visited Armenian religious and historic sites in both cities. He highlighted the important role these sites can play in strengthening the local tourism economy.
“Given the historical presence of Armenians in Abadan and Ahvaz, these cities are one of the most prominent Armenian regions in the country,” said Mansurian. “Each city has two churches, Armenian cemeteries and property, all of which have outstanding tourist potential.”
During his inspection tour, Mansolian said that the church in Abadan has already recovered, and the church in Ahvaz, along with the adjacent cemetery, is in need of renovations.
He stressed the importance of preparing these sites for visitors in a structured and respectful way, saying, “We must improve the organization of the cemeteries to accommodate tourism. The local Armenian community plans to further assess the tourism potential of these churches and cemeteries in the coming months.”
Mansolian concluded by highlighting the need to consider all the heritage assets available when planning tourism developments. He said making the most of these underutilized sites could be a meaningful contribution to funding and maintaining local tourism initiatives.
The cities of Abadan and Ahvaz are located in the southwest of Quezestan, offering an attractive blend of history, culture and industrial heritage, making them a unique and lesser-known destination for tourism in the ancient country.
The regional capital, Ahvaz, located on the banks of the Kalun River, has long been the center of industrial, cultural and ethnic diversity. The city is a mixture of Persian, Arab, Ring and Armenian communities, each contributing to a vibrant cultural tapestry. Ahvaz boasts several historic bridges, a lively traditional market and a dynamic riverside atmosphere. Among the lesser known but important cultural sites are Armenian churches and cemeteries, reflecting the long-standing presence of Armenian communities in the area. Some of these heritage sites need recovery, but represent valuable assets for cultural and religious tourism.
Once one of the world’s most important oil refining centres, Abadan has a distinctive urban character shaped by its modern industrial history and multicultural population. The city is best known for its Abadan refinery, a historic symbol of Iran’s oil industry. In recent years, we have focused on preserving and presenting the architectural and religious heritage of Abadan. This includes a renovated Armenian church, evidence of the city’s diverse past. Abadan has a heritage of coexistence and strategic significance during both the oil boom and the Iran and Iraq wars, and has emerged as a place of interest for industrial heritage tourism, war tourism and cultural exploration.
morning