The Monastery of Saint Stepanos is a historic Armenian Apostolic monastery located about 15 km northwest of the city of Jolfa in the province of East Azarbaijan, northwestern Iran. Situated atop a picturesque hill overlooking the Aras River, this ancient monastery dates back to the 9th century and is considered one of the oldest surviving Armenian monasteries in the country.

The monastery is built in a traditional Armenian architectural style, with stone walls, domed chapels, and intricate carvings adorning its facade. The interior of the monastery features beautiful frescoes, intricate woodwork, and stunning religious artifacts that have been preserved over the centuries.

Saint Stepanos Monastery was an important center of religious and cultural life for Armenians in the region, serving as a place of worship, education, and pilgrimage. It played a key role in preserving Armenian identity and heritage during times of political and cultural upheaval.

Today, the monastery continues to attract visitors from around the world who come to admire its beauty, learn about its history, and experience a sense of peace and tranquility in its serene surroundings. The Monastery of Saint Stepanos stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Armenian culture and spirituality in Iran.

Optic : Canon 24-105 L
Focal Length : 70 mm F/4 – 24mm F/5.6 – 5mm F/2
Mount : Tripod
Camera : Canon EOS R6 – SM-A507FN
ISO : 32 – 2000
Filters : –
Guide Scope : –
Total EXP : 1/110 sec. – 1/160 sec.
Technique used : –
Software : Photoshop
Date Taken : 10 October 2022
Place : East Azerbaijan, Iran

The Church of Saint John is a 5th- or 6th- century Armenian Catholic church in Sohrol, Shabestar, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. It was rebuilt in 1840 by Samson Makintsev (Sam Khan) in brick on the older church foundation.

With its magnificent architecture and serene surroundings, the church attracts visitors from far and wide who come to admire its beauty and seek solace in its peaceful ambiance.
the Saint John Church of Sohrol offers visitors a glimpse into Iran’s diverse cultural and serves as a symbol of religious tolerance and coexistence in the region.

Optic : Canon 24-105 L
Focal Length : 105 mm F/6.3
Mount : Tripod
Camera : Canon EOS R6
ISO : 100
Filters : –
Guide Scope : –
Total EXP : 1/640 sec.
Technique used : –
Software : Photoshop
Date Taken : 9 September 2022
Place : Shabestar, Tabriz, Iran

As I searched for a breathtaking view in the Village, a sudden movement caught my eye, a squirrel darting above the cabin. Intrigued, I crept closer until I discovered the perfect spot to capture.
But alas, the squirrel vanished into the shadows, leaving me empty-handed, deprived of the chance to immortalize its haunting presence.

Optic : Canon 18-55 L
Focal Length : 21 mm F/8
Mount : Tripod
Camera : Canon EOS60D Modified
ISO : 100
Filters : –
Guide Scope : –
Total EXP : 1/50 sec.
Technique used : –
Software : Photoshop
Date Taken : 15 March 2024
Place : Neyshabur, Iran

i wish someday i capture pictures from sky as beautiful as i see it through my eyes.
i hope someday i convey to you the feeling I have from the photo.

P.S. You can see a little of the milky way through the door and the trees

Optic : Samyang Lens
Focal Length : 14mm F/4
Mount : Tripod
Camera : Canon EOS 60D
ISO : 2000
Filters : –
Guide Scope : –
Total EXP : 25 sec.
Technique used : –
Software : Photoshop
Date Taken : 31 August 2014
Place : Avandar village, Kuhsorkh, Iran

The Wooden Mosque, located in the southeastern part of Neyshabur, is a mosque that stands out for being entirely constructed from wood.
It took two years to built, using a whopping 40 tons of wood.

Optic : Canon 18-55 L
Focal Length : 18 mm F/6.3 – 55 mm F/6.3 – 20 mm F/8
Mount : Tripod
Camera : Canon EOS60D Modified
ISO : 100 – 250
Filters : –
Guide Scope : –
Total EXP : 1/3 sec. – 1/125 sec. – 1/250 sec.
Technique used : –
Software : Photoshop
Date Taken : 15 March 2024
Place : Neyshabur, Iran

The Chapel of Chupan known as Shepherd’s Chapel, is a small, historic Armenian church in a mountain valley west of Jolfa near the Aras River in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran.
The chapel was built in 1518 (rebuilt in 1836), likely for shepherds of the region who did not have immediate access to a church. It has a cruciform shape, and is made of stone and mortar. The interior walls are covered in plain plaster.
It is part of the Saint Stepanos Monastic Ensemble, within the Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran listing.

P.S. Unfortunately, I could not take a good night photo because of the bright light but still you can see ursa major constellation clearly.

Optic : Canon 24-105 L
Focal Length : 24 mm F/4
Mount : Tripod
Camera : Canon EOS R6
ISO : 25600
Filters : –
Guide Scope : –
Total EXP : 1/8 sec.
Technique used : –
Software : Photoshop
Date Taken : 10 September 2022
Place : Jolfa, Iran

The Khomeini is the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Khomeini shrine is a popular pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims and visitors from around the world. The complex consists of a grand mosque, a library, and the burial site of Khomeini. The shrine is a significant landmark in Iran and serves as a symbol of the country’s revolutionary history.
P.S. Travelers feel comfortable to camp in The courtyard of this shrine.

Optic : Canon 24-105 L
Focal Length : 105 mm F/4
Mount : Tripod
Camera : Canon EOS R6
ISO : 25600
Filters : –
Guide Scope : –
Total EXP : 1/13 sec.
Technique used : –
Software : Photoshop
Date Taken : 8 September 2022
Place : Tehran, Iran

tombstones like sexual organs Or Social status of individuals Or Astronomical markers And Finally A secret that is still sealed.
In the stunning green hills of Northern Iran, one cemetery is covered in headstones distinctly resembling male and female genitalia. Some are cylindrical and capped, while others are paired and rounded.
some experts suggest that the cemetery was created by phallus worshiping peoples from Central Asia and India, although conclusive proof of this does not exist.
According to some, the likeness of these gravestones to the penis is incorrect, and its appearance is that its hat at the top, and the men’s Waist scarf at the bottom, and the gravestones with two rings at the bottom, indicate flanking shawl. It has been a period that has been used in addition to the scarf that men have worn around their waist. Also, the tombstones are made taller or shorter depending on the person’s position, the women’s tombs are feminine and bra-shaped, with a flat surface and all female graves are facing north. The cemetery is said to belong to the Paleolithic Age.
From an astronomical point of view, the tombs facing north or references to objects in the Milky Way should not be overlooked.
There is little publicity over the cemetery and most scholars have strayed from studying the historic area,
And, unfortunately, it is rapidly decaying
The place seems to be hidden but absolutely worthy to visit!

Optic : Samyang Lens
Focal Length : 14 mm F/4
Mount : Tripod
Camera : Canon EOS6D
ISO : 400
Filters : –
Guide Scope : –
Total EXP : 1/100 sec.  –  1/200 sec.
Technique used : –
Software : Photoshop
Date Taken : 12 April 2019
Place : Kalale, Iran

The roof of Khalid Nabi’s mausoleum is a green and turnip-shaped dome from the outside, whose belt and dome have gone inside each other.

Optic : Canon 24-105 L
Focal Length : 24 mm F/11
Mount : Tripod
Camera : Canon EOS60D
ISO : 640
Filters : –
Guide Scope : –
Total EXP : 1/6 sec. – 1/10 sec.
Technique used : –
Software : Photoshop
Date Taken : 11 April 2019
Place : Kalale, Iran

The Old Wooden Mosque of Neyshabur is a historical monument that built in the 9th century during the Samanid era, this unique mosque is renowned for its exquisite wooden architecture and intricate carvings.

The mosque’s design combines traditional Persian and Islamic architectural elements, featuring a wooden dome and minaret, as well as ornate stucco decorations throughout the interior.

Optic : Canon 24-105 L
Focal Length : 105 mm F/22
Mount : Tripod
Camera : Canon EOS6D
ISO : 800
Filters : –
Guide Scope : –
Total EXP : 1/80 sec.
Technique used : –
Software : Photoshop
Date Taken : 21 April 2016
Place : Wooden Masque, Neyshabur, Iran