Visiting the Garni temple and the Geghard monastery is the first thing that comes to mind when the interesting places in Yerevan have already been examined. They are located east of the capital, and the journey here will take just half a day or a full day.
Let’s learn more about Garni Temple (we promise to tell you more about Geghard temple later).
Garni Temple
This temple is the only monument in Armenia belonging to the era of paganism and Hellenism. It was built before the country adopted Christianity in 301 AD. That is why Garni is fundamentally different from all other religious buildings, more resembling a piece of ancient Greece right in the middle of the Armenian hills.
Garni temple facts
The temple was dedicated to the pagan god of sun Mithra and it was built in the 1st century AD. Here is such an antiquity! Even more surprising is how it could survive because, after the adoption of Christianity, all pagan temples were destroyed.
The fortress of Garni was built in an inaccessible place on a rocky ledge on the bank of the Azat River. It was from here that the king of Urartu moved towards Yerevan, where he founded another fortress – Erebuni, which later became the capital of Armenia Yerevan.
The base of the temple is a high basalt podium, which can be reached only by steep stairs. Externally, Garni is very similar to the temple in Athens: a triangular roof and 24 giant columns.
It is noteworthy that the walls and ceilings are very skillfully decorated – even then the Armenian masters of sculpture were at their best. In the 17th century, a strong earthquake occurred here and the pagan temple of Garni was severely destroyed, its pieces scattered along the river gorge.
But thanks to the hard work of the scientist and local residents, the construction was restored.
Near the sanctuary, you can see the remains of the bath, the royal palace and the fortress, and if you go down to the river you will see unusual hexagonal prisms of regular shape in the rocks.
Tour to Garni Temple
If you are searching for unforgettable memories and feeling, then let’s visit Garni temple together with Levon Travel! The only pagan temple in Armenia will amaze you and you will fall in love with it, besides that our professional guides will tell you the most interesting secrets about the temple.
Visit Armenia, feel the atmosphere of Armenia, enjoy Armenia!
