With the Armenian movements in mid 19th century to achieve independence from the Ottoman and Azerbaijan and implement the map of the Great Armenia from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, the Township of Salmas has been considered a bridge connecting Russia to the Ottoman government. At the same time, Salmas and western Azerbaijan were not spared from the underground activities of the Armenians. From the mid 19th century onward, the archives of the Ottoman government were focused on Armenians and their movements in Azerbaijan and the villages on the border of the Ottoman state. As a result, the remnants of the Armenians’ presence can still be seen around the region.

Among the remaining signs of Armenian presence in Salmas is the Haftvan Church, which was built on the order of the Safavid King Abbas. It was destroyed in the 1309 (1930) Salmas earthquake, and was reconstructed several years later.

Haftvan church is one of the monuments registered by the Cultural Heritage Organization of the country, and is visited by a large number of tourists every year.