NEW JULFA

New Jolfa on the southern bank of Zayandeh Rud, was founded by Shah Abbas as a settlement for the Armenians of the old Jolfa on the Araxes, who were thus rescued from the dangers of Turkish attack and brought to set an example of industry to the inhabitants of the Shah's new capital. He gave the immigrant Armenians special privileges and formal guarantees concerning their religious freedoms. Until relatively recently, all European residents were compelled to live in this suburb.