Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In 1880 the Persian army stormed Orumiyeh to counterattack Kurdish nationalist leader
Sheikh Ubayd Allah. Christians were massacred by both sides and orchards were devast-
ated. In 1918 most of the Christian population fled from Orumiyeh, Salmas and Khoy,
wisely fearing that invading Ottoman Turks could repeat the butchery that they had per-
petrated on the Armenians of eastern Turkey. Most of those who stayed were slaughtered.
Some escapee Christians returned when the Turks retreated and today six different
Christian faiths remain active. However, with a continual exodus of emigrants to the US
and Scandinavia, the total non-Muslim population has dwindled to an estimated 4000.
The main commercial streets Imam Ave and Kashani St form a 'T' at attractive Enqelab
Sq. Beheshti St, unanimously known as Daneshkadeh St, continues west to Pol-e-Qoyum
junction around 3km beyond the museum.
