Ahmad Montazer: 70 Year-old Armenian Houses Preserved in New Jugha (New Julfa)

70 old Armenian houses are preserved in New Jugha (New Julfa). This was said during a press conference by researcher, professor of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Isfahan, Iran, Ahmad Montazer.

“Armenians and Iranians built houses differently in New Julfa. Both Armenian and Iranian houses were built of brick and clay. Stone was not used at all. Same applies to churches in Julfa. A 1985 research of Armenian houses showed that there are 300 houses. But this year’s study showed that only 70 were preserved. The rest have been demolished “, “Armenpress “reports the researcher noting.

According to Ahmad Montazer, the demolition of houses was not initiated by the state. “The Former residents sold the house to somebody, for whom the preservation was not important. Thus, the houses were demolished. During the Iranian revolution demolishing houses was widespread “he said, adding that the state seeks to prohibit the demolition. Ahmad Montazer said that there is also an organization that controls the area in an attempt to preserve houses, although it is very difficult.

“Those are 1 or 2 storey buildings. There is a plan to prohibit the entry of vehicles to that area, allowing people to walk into New Julfa”, he added.
The symposium entitled “New Jugha” is taking place in the National Museum-Institute of Architecture under the Ministry of Urban Development of the Republic of Armenia on February 29, which is attended by many researchers.