Tehran Unveils Saint Mary Metro Station with Rare Tribute to Armenian Christian Heritage
TEHRAN, Iran – The Tehran Municipality has revealed the interior of the soon-to-open Maryam-e Moghaddas (Saint Mary) metro station, featuring a striking bas-relief of an Armenian church, a rare public acknowledgment of Iran’s Christian heritage. Located on Line 6 at the intersection of Ostad Nejatollahi and Karim Khan Zand streets, the station is near Saint Sarkis Cathedral, a key Armenian Apostolic church in the capital.
The bas-relief, captured in photograph by Shayan Mehrabi for the Tehran Picture Agency, showcases the cathedral’s iconic conical domes and cross-topped towers. A large green geometric rosette accompanies the design, blending Islamic ornamental motifs with Armenian ecclesiastical elements, symbolizing cultural coexistence.
Managed by the Tehran Municipality’s Urban Art and Beautification Organization, this project marks the first artistic representation of an Armenian religious structure in Tehran’s metro network. City officials say the artwork reflects a broader initiative to celebrate Tehran’s multi-faith identity through public spaces.
The Maryam-e Moghaddas station, still under construction, is in its final stages and expected to open later this autumn. Once operational, it will serve as the 25th station on Line 6, connecting central Tehran’s cultural and residential districts.
