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 magnificent and marvellous buildings and structures in the holy shrine of Imam Reza(A.S.) situated in the holy city of Mashhad, Iran, comprises one of the oldest and most beautiful religious and historical monuments in the world. The visitors, travellers and historians have called this religious complex as "The Glory of the Islamic World".
The grand complex of the holy shrine is round in structure which includes six courtyards (Sahn), twenty - three porches (Riwaq), the Gowhar shad Mosque, Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, Islamic Research Foundation, Museums, the Central Library Complex, Offices, Hospital, Inn and the buildings for performing ablutions. The present surface area of the holy shrine is 267079 sq. meters.