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!  

Armenian Music

Armenian Duduk

Folk music plays a major part of Armenian culture; however, Christian music is also very popular, as is light pop. Religion plays a large part in Armenia culture, as such it follows that religion will have an influence on the creative arts, and music is no different.

Folk Music
There is a wide range of musical instruments that are unique to Armenia or to the Caucasus region.  These include instruments like the Duduk, the Dhol, the Zurna and the popular Kanun, all of which are found in Armenian folk music. This form of music plays a significant part in Armenian culture and can be found far and wide throughout the country.

Diaspora
The Armenian Genocide caused a wide spread displacement of Armenian citizens across the world, as such Armenian music has spread far and wide, however, the influence of other cultures on Armenian music can also been seen in the country’s pop music, which is heavily influence by western popular artists. In the United States of America the so called “Kef” style of Armenian dance music (which combines Armenian and Middle Eastern folk instruments with modern western electronic ones) is very popular in both the American Armenian community as well as in Armenia itself.

Tradition
Traditionally, Armenia has been known for its classical music and during the Soviet rule of Armenia Aram Khatchaturian (the noted composer) became internationally well known for his classical music compositions. However, the oldest form of music found in the country is the Armenian Chant which takes its format from religious music in medieval times. Many of these chants can trace their origins to pre-Christian times and whilst some are relatively modern, most of these chants are more traditional.

Influences
During the 1940’s and 50’s the big jazz bands of America and Europe proved to be very popular with the Armenian communities abroad and had a big influence on the music of the Armenian diaspora. However, in more modern times, many young Armenians living abroad have found popularity in songs of Armenian patriotism and revolutionary songs which generally discuss Armenian history and national heroes.

Armenians Abroad
In more recent times, there are many examples of successful musicians or artists who are Armenian and have settled in other communities around the world, or can claim Armenian heritage, whose style of music is far removed from the traditional Armenian style of music such as the heavy metal band System of a Down and the pop star Cher.

Armenian Apostolic Church

Armenian Apostolic Church

The Armenian Apostolic Church is the oldest established national church in the world. The oldest form of Christianity is the Oriental Orthodoxy and the Armenian Apostolic Church forms part of that community. It is well known that in AD 301 Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity and with the formation of the Armenian Apostolic Church Christianity officially became the national religion. What is not so well known is that, according to the elders of the Armenian Apostolic Church, they can trace their origins back to the missions of the Apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus in the early days of Christianity.

Apostles
The Armenian Apostolic Church is sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Gregorian Church, however, the church are not keen on this title as they consider the Apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus to be the churches founders and so the church is rightly named after them. However, Gregory the Illuminator was not the founder of the church but instead the churches first official governor.

Legends
Legends with in Armenia tell of the early missions of Bartholomew and Thaddeus who visited Armenia on the orders of Abgar, who was the uncle of King Sanatrook of Armenia, with the express purpose of evangelizing the local population. However, as with many of these legends, the stories vary wildly. That said, what is common with all the stories is that Thaddeus converted Sandookdht, the kings daughter. It is said in some versions that Sanatrook was converted and in fact later apostatized, however, in other versions of the story he was never converted and was hostile to Christianity. What is clear is that Sanatrook martyred both Thaddeus and Sandookhdt but some versions do have the apostle Bartholomew arriving in Armenia at a similar time to be martyred.

Constitution
Within the Republic of Armenia the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church is defined in the constitution. In 2005 an amendment to the constitution was granted and it allowed the Armenian Apostolic Church an exclusive mission to provide for Armenians spiritual and cultural life.

Subsequently, in 2009, further amendments were made to the constitution so minority groups would be banned from spreading distrust in other faiths; however, these amendments were heavily criticized and put on hold when human rights activist Stepan Danielian stated "the Armenian Apostolic Church today wants to have a monopoly on religion".

Woman’s Role
The Armenian Apostolic Church do not ordain woman into the priesthood, however, woman have made a large impact on the church and have historically been ordained as a deaconesses when in a convent environment. That said, woman do serve the church in the choir and the organ, and well as on parish councils, volunteers, fundraiser, Sunday schools and as staff members in church offices.

The Carpet Weavers of Armenia

Armenian Carpet (Vishapagorg)

Armenia has many traditions dating back to antiquity. However, none are as ingrained and wide spread as the tradition of Carpet Weaving. Armenian woman have traditionally been the carpet weavers, however, whole families have been known be self-employed carpet weavers. That said, in Karabakh, prominent carpet weavers have also been men, demonstrating that across the region the skills of carpet weaving have been passed from generation to generation, regardless of gender, for thousands of years. Subsequently, the skilled carpet weavers of Armenia, and the surrounding regions, have been highly sought after form thousands of years.
Artsakh
The oldest Armenian carpet in existence is from the early 13^th Century and is referred to as Artsakh Carpet and was made in the village of Banants, with the earliest known reference to a carpet, or Gorg, in Armenian text was an inscription on the Kaptavan Church wall (circa 1242/43) which is in the province of Artsakh, Armenia.

Ornate Designs
The Artsakh region in Armenia has a special place in the history of carpet weaving in the country. Many common themes and patterns found on Armenian carpets are the depictions of Dragons and Eagles and these designs found their origins in the Artsakh region.  Many ornamental motifs, styles and colours are available to the carpet weaver and so each family can create their own unique designs.  The carpets mentioned in the Kaptavan Church inscriptions were made up of three arches and as art historian Hravard Hakoby notes “it was covered with vegetative ornaments and bears an artistic resemblance to the illuminated manuscripts produced in Artsakh.” The illuminated manuscripts were medieval documents and books which had very ornate, often in gold, decorative design work within the pages, as such, these carpets were highly decorative with ornate, hand crafted work added to individualized them, hence their collectors status.

Medieval Skills
Carpet weaving in Armenia has been heavily linked to that of curtain making, so much so that in 13^th Century Armenian the wife of the regional prince Vakhtang Khachenatsi (along with their daughters) was praised by an Armenian art historian from the Artsakh region for their skill in combining carpet and curtain weaving with luxurious, ornate and decorative results.

Quality
Foreign travelers to Armenia often remarked on the quality of the carpets and a trip to the Artsakh region was often accompanied with a trip to the many carpet sellers throughout the region. In fact, the noted geographer and historian Al-Masudi commented that among other works of art he had never seen such high quality carpets anywhere else in his life.

To this day, carpet weavers in Armenia still produce high quality, durable and unique carpets that are the envy of the world and a carpet purchased in Armenia makes for a fine gift and a reminder of ones travels across the world.

Armenian Opera

Yerevan Opera House

It was Dikran Tchouhadjian (1837-98) who founded the tradition of Opera in Armenia. He was a big admirer of Verdi and studied his work at length whilst undertaking his musical education in Milan. Born in Constantinople (in what was the Ottoman Empire) he was a political and musical nationalist who combined Armenian influences with Western ideas in his work.

In 1868 he wrote what is regarded as the first Armenian Opera with the ground breaking Arshak Erkrord, however it was not until 1945 that the Opera was fully staged. The story was about an Armenian prince who served as a Roman Client King of Arsacid Armenia from 350 until 368.


Arshak Erkrord
Tovmas Terzian is another composer who has contributed heavily to the Armenian Opera, especially with his work The Libretto which is also based upon the life of Arshak Erkrord who was a popular Armenian hero from classical times. Furthermore, he contributed many notable operas including: Arifi khardakhutyune (1872), Zemire (1891), Kyose Kyokhva (1891), Lelebidi (1892) and Indiana (1892).

Anoush
In 1878, Armen Tigranian (see separate article regarding Tigranian) was born and he went on to become one of Armenia’s most influential composers. He wrote the opera Anoush in 1908 and it was set in the Armenia countryside and made heavy use of Armenian folk music and culture and is perhaps the most popular Armenian musical or theatrical work. The opera is a tragic love story set in an Armenian village; Anoush is a young girl who falls in love with a local shepherd who is murdered by a rival.

Despite being first performed in 1912 in Alexandrapol it was not until 1935 that the opera had its first professional staging at the Armenian National Opera Theatre, even now Anoush remains in the repertoire of the Armenian National Theatre.

David Bek
Before he died Tigranian’s wrote his last and arguably most famous opera David Bek (1950), based upon the novel David Bek (1882) by the Armenian author Hakob Melik Hakobian better known by his pen name of Raffi. It was based upon the life of the national hero David Bek and is set in the 18th Century where a struggle between Armenians and Persians unfolds. With Tigranian’s untimely death in 1950 the opera was completed by Levon Khoja-Eynatov and G. Budaghyan.