Garni and Garni Temple

Garni and Garni Temple

Looking for something interesting to do outside Armenia’s capital city? Located just 12 miles outside Yerevan, Garni and Garni Temple is a great day trip for a broad spectrum of visitors.  If you fancy driving to these attractions, yourself, they are less than an hour’s drive from the country’s capital along roads that afford you picturesque views of the Armenian landscape and occasional glimpses of the iconic Mount Ararat.  However, if you would feel safer going on an organised tour with a local guide, then why not consider taking a look at www.toursbylocals.com (a site that has been connecting travellers with local guides since 2008).

A Brief History of the Garni and Garni Temple

Many people mistake Garni for the 1^st century AD Hellenistic pagan temple, nearby.  However, Garni, itself, is a major village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia - an area which was first settled in the 3^rd millennium BC.  Situated at a bend in the Azat River, it is originally thought to have been a summer dwelling for two royal dynasties – which is when the famous fortification, excavated briefly between 1909 and 1910 and continued in 1949, was built.  Over time, this region quickly became one of the most renowned metallurgical and trading powers in Mesopotamia and Asia Minor.  However, the fortress was sacked by Timur Lenk (historically known as Tamerlane – a Turko-Mongol ruler who conquered West, South and Central Asia and founded Timurid dynasty) in 1386 and, in 1679, an earthquake ravaged the area and demolished the nearby Temple of Garni.

Excavated in 1909 – 1910, it is believed that the Temple of Garni was erected on top of a Urartian temple during the reign of King Tiridates I of Armenia, using money secured during his visit to Emperor Nero in Rome.  It is further believed that it was built to honour Mythros, the pagan Goddess of the sun – an entity it shared with Persia and the Eastern Roman Empire (who adopted Mythros as a patron goddess) – and to revere fire as an ultimate gift from the gods.  However, it is also likely that the real political reason for its construction would have been the declaration of Armenia as a Roman province.  During the excavation, it transpired (fortuitously) that most of the original architectural members and building blocks from the basalt construction remained at the site – allowing the temple to be reconstructed between the years of 1969 and 1975.

Garni and Garni Temple, Today

Not only do several tourist attractions nestle within the walls of the original fortress complex at Garni, but it is also central to many other attractions in the area.  Garni Gorge can be found nearby, which is home to the ‘Symphony of Stones’ – a series of basalt columns carved out by the Goght River.  It can be reached via a cobblestone road that leads down from the village and in to the valley.  Once in the valley, turning right will lead you to an 11^th century medieval bridge and the ‘Symphony of Stones’; whereas, turning left will lead you along the river and up to the Khosrov State Reserve.  Within the reserve, itself, you will find the 13^th century Aghjots Vank, the Church of Saint Stepanos and the Fortress Kakavaberd.  If you progress a little further from the reserve, you will reach Havuts Tar Monastery (which can be viewed from the temple). 

Garni Temple is one of the attractions that nestle within the walls of the original fortress complex at Garni.  Situated on a cliff surrounded by jagged rock walls, it is a magnificent and unique example of pagan architecture, constructed from basalt (a material not commonly utilised at the time) – designed and built to the revered geometry of the age and oriented to the East, to meet the rising sun.  To the north of the site, on the side of the temple, sits an extremely well-preserved Roman bathhouse with an exceptional example of a mosaic floor.  In fact, this work of art has been so well-preserved that it was awarded a prestigious UNESCO International Award in May of 2011.

If you choose to visit this amazing complex, you will also have the chance to meet and mingle with the local people.  In the car park, you will find a souvenir shop and a gathering of people attempting to sell you their merchandise – including compact discs of local music and ropes of pastegh (a local delicacy consisting of nuts and grape juice).

Trip Advisor Ratings and Testimonials

Garni Temple is ranked 8^th out of 38 Armenian tourist attractions on Trip Adviser, with 110 out of 192 independent reviewers giving it 5 out of 5 and 56 more giving it 4 stars out of 5.  Some of the guests said the following:

                ‘Well restored temple.’

                ‘Spectacular construction.’

                ‘It’s a must.’

                ‘Well-preserved Greco-Roman structure.’

There is certainly a lot to do and see at Garni – a chance to visit an amazingly well-preserved and  reconstructed pagan temple, breath in some magnificent scenery and meet the local people!