Problem Statement: Iran, with its valuable architectural heritage, is situated in one of the most seismically active regions of the world; therefore, special attention is required to ensure the protection of its historical buildings. East Azerbaijan Province in the northwest of the country, with its prominent historical churches, represents a clear example of this necessity. Studies indicate that out of forty-nine identified churches in this province, only thirteen remain standing, while the majority have been damaged or destroyed due to natural and human-induced factors.
Research Objective: This study aims to assess the safety and analyze the seismic vulnerability of eight selected historical churches in the province and to develop a prioritized list for their conservation.
Research Methodology: The research adopts a comparative mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to ensure the accuracy of the results. Qualitative assessment was conducted on-site using Italian conservation guidelines, while quantitative evaluation was carried out using the 3Muri software to simulate the behavior of masonry walls.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that the seismic safety index of the churches is less than one, demonstrating the vulnerability of these historical structures to seismic events and highlighting the urgent need for intervention and the implementation of appropriate conservation measures. A comparison of qualitative and quantitative assessment outputs revealed that the qualitative approach is more conservative than the quantitative method. Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches in a comprehensive assessment process to guide sustainable conservation strategies for national architectural heritage.