Iran Unveils New Metro Station Dedicated to the Virgin Mary

Though Shiite Islam is Iran’s official state religion, passengers stepping into Tehran’s new Maryam Moghaddas metro station might feel as though they have entered a Christian basilica.

The station’s name, Maryam Moghaddas, translates from Persian as “Holy Mary”. Beneath its arched ceilings and domed concourse, adorned with intricate Persian motifs, the walls are lined with religious frescoes and artworks paying tribute to the Virgin Mary, revered in both Christianity and Islam.

The station features a vaulted hall inspired by both Persian and Byzantine aesthetics. Among the key works of art is a serene depiction of Mary in prayer, eyes closed and hands raised, with a white dove — symbolising the Holy Spirit — floating above her.

Along the platform, another mural shows Jesus Christ watching over passengers as they await their train — a rare but striking public representation of Christian imagery in Iran.

“Every single element you see at this station was designed so that when someone passes through, they understand that our goal was to respect other religions — Christianity in particular,” said Tina Tarigh Mehr, the artist behind the project, during a media tour organised on Saturday ahead of the station’s opening.

She added: “The bird represents the Holy Spirit, and the olive tree symbolises peace and friendship.”

The Virgin Mary is highly venerated in Islam, where she is known as Maryam, the mother of the Prophet Isa (Jesus). Her portrayal as a woman of purity and devotion resonates deeply across faiths, making her an enduring symbol of spiritual unity.

Tehran’s Mayor Alireza Zakani described the new station on X (formerly Twitter) as: “A reminder of the divine woman who awakened the world through her purity and by nurturing a great prophet. This station is designed to showcase the coexistence of divine religions in Tehran.”

Iran’s multicultural landscape is formally recognised in its Constitution, which, while enshrining Shiite Islam as the state religion, also recognises:

Christianity has existed in Persia since long before the 7th-century Arab conquest, which introduced Islam to the region. Today, estimates of Iran’s Christian population vary widely, ranging from 130,000 to one million people.

Tehran — the Maryam Moghaddas station took a decade to build.

Tehran’s first metro line opened in 1999, and the system now includes approximately 160 operational stations. Many of them are renowned for their artistic craftsmanship, merging modern architecture with traditional Persian design to create spaces that reflect the nation’s cultural diversity.

The new station stands as both a tribute to interfaith respect and a celebration of artistic heritage, symbolising Tehran’s aspiration to present itself as a city where divine faiths coexist harmoniously beneath the same vaulted roof.