The famous and marvelous monastic complex of St. Thaddeus is located in the mountainous area of western Azerbaidjan province in Iran, about 20 km (12 ? mi) south of Makou (the Artaz area of Vaspurakan province). It is perched on a mountain ridge beside a stream sunken into the rock, thus giving it a natural fortified position.

The Reza Abbasi Museum (the RAM) opened in September 1977, but in November 1978, just one year after its official opening it was closed. Exactly a year later in 1979, having had changes in its internal decorations and with further expansion of its exhibition space it was reopened. In 1984, because of some internal difficulties, once more it was closed and again reopened in 1985. And finally on February 4, 2000, it was opened for the fifth time, after its renovation.Reza Abbasi Museum is administrated by Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization.

Khoy is one of the ancient regions of Iran with a moderate climate. The capital city being Khoy located 807 km. from Tehran. The word Khoy means 'salt', as the primary settlers in this region were the Medes due to the presence of a salt quarry here, called it as such. According to ancient records Khoy was a place having great importance, and was one of the branches of the Silk Road connecting east to west and passed through this city in pre-Islamic ages.