Likely dedicated to the ancient deity mithras, today the garni temple lies about 30km to the east of yerevan and the complex hosts a number of buildings including a royal. Apr 30, 2020 temple of garni the temple of garni is a classical hellenistic temple in garni, armenia. Archaeological excavations claim that in 782 bc urartian king argishti i 786764 bc built a military fortress erebuni fortress at the site of the present day yerevan. Quite possibly, this type of architecture influenced the overall composition of armenias heathen temples in general, and that of garni temple, especially the outlines of certain details and the interior decoration. Svastika in armenia armenian history, armenian culture, armenian alphabet, thinking. Visiting garni and geghard, armenia travels of a bookpacker. Built in the ionic order in the village of garni, armenia, it is the bestknown.
Located in garni, garni bread house features a restaurant, bar, garden, and free wifi throughout the property. The temple and the fortress are part of the garni historical and cultural museum reserve. With a backdrop of beautiful landscapes, this tour explores the sun temple of garni and the geghard. National gallery of armenia and history museum of armenia are cultural highlights, and some of the areas landmarks include garni temple and geghard monastery. On this day we will go to the pagan temple of garni. Armenia is a unitary, multiparty, democratic nationstate with an ancient cultural heritage. If you have at least 3 days in armenia and yerevan, wed definitely recommend a visit. This place is an ancient greek temple that dates back to the first century. Popular attractions garni temple and geghard monastery are located nearby. The armenians believed, that everything had to be built according to the laws of nature. The purpose of the fortress was to protect against the attacks from the north caucasus. The movement officially began with the first celebration of the birth of vahagn, the ancient armenian god of fire, at garni temple in 1991, said yulia antonyan, assistant professor of the. The movement officially began with the first celebration of the birth of vahagn, the ancient armenian god of fire, at garni temple in 1991, said. It is perhaps the bestknown structure and symbol of prechristian armenia.
The temple of garni is the only standing grecoroman colonnaded building in armenia and. The biggest attraction in garni is the garni temple, a grecoroman style temple sitting overlooking a large valley. We request the room type we want and they gave us,and we are very happy with the room which has perfect view of garni temple and mountains around. Its the only freestanding colonnaded grecoroman structure in all of the former soviet union. The first traces of human occupation date back to the 3rd millennium bc and are concentrated in an easily defensible terrain at one of the bends of the azat river. Landlocked in southwest asia, this is a country with a long and fascinating history and splendid natural attractions, resulting in it quickly becoming an increasingly popular tour destination. Ad 77 during the reign of tiridates i of armenia ruled c.
Jun 17, 2012 the temple of garni is the only standing grecoroman colonnaded building in armenia and the former soviet union. The temple seats on a cliff overlooking the breathtaking azat gorge. Explore armenia holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. The temple stands on a high podium with a twostep base and is surrounded with 24 ionic columns. Garnitoun garnitoun is a 4star venue set 37 miles away from mount ararat. As of the 2011 census, the population of the village is 6,910. How to get to geghard monastery from yerevan diy travel hq. Garnitoun is situated in the vicinity of garni temple.
Garni temple, geghard, and lavash baking from yerevan. Garnis pagan temple which was built in 77 bc, 2nd century is located in kotayk region at the left bank of azat river. Garni is a village in the kotayk province of central armenia. Garni temple is the only remaining intact model of hellenistic architecture in armenia. Garni temple is the only standing building if prechristian period. Lying in the picturesque ararat valley and covering a territory of 300 square kilometers modern yerevan is a developing city with renovation and reconstruction all over the city, especially in the central parts. Garni temple the structure was probably built by king tiridates i in the first century ad as a temple to the sun god mihr. Front view of garni temple in armenia by james blake wiener built. The settlement has an ancient history, and is best known for the hellenistic garni temple. It is the only grecoroman colonnaded building in armenia and the entire former soviet union. Although the history of the structure is interesting and dates back to the first century ad, we felt a little underwhelmed by the reconstruction which was done in the 1970s. Visit garni temple on your trip to garni or armenia. That is why t his temple is the true and unique masterpiece.
The unique armenian alphabet was invented by mesrop mashtots in 405 ad. The area was first occupied in the 3rd millennium bc along easily defensible terrain at one of the bends of the azat river. Jun 27, 2016 the oldest surviving building in armenia is the temple of garni represented by mithira, the sun god. Discover the historical villages of garni and geghard. Built in the 1st century ce by king tiridates i, the temple honored the sun god mihr. Urartu was established in 860 bc and by the 6th century bc it was replaced by the satrapy of armenia. Garnu tacar is located in the village of garni in kotayk province, armenia, and it was once a pagan temple dedicated to the armenian sun god mihr. The architectural complex of garni was armenias foremost center of hellenistic culture and the summer residence of armenian kings. Garni temple is armenias only grecoromanstyle building.
Gracing the hillside the pagan temple was dedicated to the god of sun, mithra. Jan 05, 2018 the movement officially began with the first celebration of the birth of vahagn, the ancient armenian god of fire, at garni temple in 1991, said yulia antonyan, assistant professor of the. There are also ruins of mosaic ancient baths and residences in garni. The pagan temple of garni is the only pagan temple currently standing in armenia. Armenia recognises the armenian apostolic church, the worlds oldest national church, as the countrys primary religious establishment. Front view of garni temple in armenia armenien, geschichte. The history of the armenian speaking people is an accessible read for those interested in reaching a better understanding of armenian history. The pagan temple of garni is the only nonchristian temple currently standing in armenia.
Yerevan garni temple geghard monastery levons cave history museum of armenia vernissage market. Temple dates from the 1st century ad, built to honor mihr, the god of sun in the armenian ancient mythology. Likely dedicated to the ancient deity mithras, today the garni temple lies about 30km to the east of yerevan and the complex hosts a number of buildings including a. Armenia is a member of the eurasian economic union, the council of europe and the collective security treaty organization. Author and historian, michael boyajian, has written.
Things to do in garni and geghard, armenia davids been here. Yerevan zoo and waterworld are also worth visiting. Built in the middle of the 1st century ce, the temple of garni remarkably survived the destruction of pagan temples following armenia s conversion to christianity in the 4th century ce, and countless invasions. The restoration of the temple began in 1966 thoroughly observing all that had remained of the monument and ended in 1975. Also it is the one colonnaded grecoroman building not only. Though the temple of garni is a unesco world heritage site, the structure that stands on the site is not the original temple. The remains are very nice and the views from the cliff of the mountains around are spectacular. Dec 02, 20 visiting garni temple in armenia is a slightly different experience to the monastery visits. Mithira is said to have been adapted into the zoroastrian pantheon from the rig vedic deity mitra who is an important divinity of indic culture, and the patron divinity of. Many learn when they visit that the cyclopic stone walls that surround the royal summer residence and temple are were in fact first laid in the 3rd millennium bc by ancestral armenians who developed the region into one of the greatest metallurgical and. Book the garni bread house stay at this 3star guesthouse in garni. Full of colorful pictures, maps and fun facts, this book introduces children to. After armenia s conversion to christianity in the early fourth century.
Built in the ionic order in the village of garni, armenia, it is the bestknown structure and symbol of prechristian armenia the structure was probably built by king tiridates i in the first century ad. The classical hellenistic structure of garni temple remains the only embodiment of armenias prechristian era. Nearby you can admire of azat river deep gorge, which make the beauty of this place much attractive. Visit garni temple on your trip to garni or armenia inspirock. It has a well preserved architecture and has a breathtaking view. The couple takes very good care of you and if you want to know more about the garni temple and the aryans in. Many learn when they visit that the cyclopic stone walls that surround the royal summer residence and temple are were in fact first laid in the 3rd millennium bc by ancestral armenians who developed the region into one of the greatest metallurgical and trading powers in. There is free private parking and the property provides paid airport shuttle service. This pagan temple is very interesting, the history of religion in armenia. See more ideas about armenia, armenian culture and armenian history. The temple of garni was constructed by trdat i in the 1st century ad.
Mithira is said to have been adapted into the zoroastrian pantheon from the rig vedic deity mitra who is an important divinity of indic culture, and the patron divinity of honesty, friendship, contracts and meetings. Garni temple garni temple 600 ft geghard monastery road h3 noahs garden maran noahs garden maran 500 ft marzpetuni 10 mer ojakh mer ojakh 500 ft g. Built in the ionic order in the village of garni, armenia, it is the bestknown structure and symbol of prechristian armenia. So trdat dedicated this temple to the sun goddess mythra. This is a destination where you will be intrigued by history, awed by monuments, amazed by the landscape and charmed by downtoearth locals. The temple of garni is the only standing grecoroman colonnaded building in armenia and the former soviet union. If youre visiting armenia, you shouldnt miss this place. Aug 22, 2018 what to see in garni and geghard garni temple. Today, in addition to drawing scores of tourists, it represents a shrine for armenian neopaganism. Garni temple is armenia s only grecoromanstyle building. Everything from the hospitality, the people, the food is outstanding.
Visiting the monastery will help you to get some decent knowledge about the prechristian and christian history, culture and architecture of armenia. Geghard is enveloped by tall cliffs along the azat river, and the monastery is not too far from the strategic ararat plain. Garnu tacar is located in the village of garni in kotayk. Discover two cultural highlights of eastern armenia during this day trip from yerevan, with a guide to explain each feature.
A geological oddity topped with a 2,000yearold pagan temple. Today, garni temple is the only standing grecoroman structure in armenia and considered as a symbol of armenias classical past as well as its deep historical ties to the civilizations of. Its very popular with pilgrims, locals and tourists alike. Although the historical record concerning the temple of garni is limited, it seems. The temple itself was built on top of an urartian temple. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace.
Jan 05, 2020 its the only freestanding colonnaded grecoroman structure in all of the former soviet union. The classical hellenistic structure of garni temple remains the only embodiment of armenia s prechristian era. And even fewer have a culture that is as rich and resilient. The kingdom of armenia reached its height under tigranes the great in the 1st century bc and became the first state in the world to adopt christianity as its official. The couple takes very good care of you and if you want to know more about the garni temple and the aryans in armenia, they are the best people to tell you. Quite possibly, this type of architecture influenced the overall composition of armenia s heathen temples in general, and that of garni temple, especially the outlines of certain details and the interior decoration. Its a picturesqe destination and worth an hour travel from yerevan. The temple of garni is also considered a symbol of armenias classical past. In his 1839 book he proposed a reconstruction plan. Temple of garni illustration ancient history encyclopedia. One of the most ancient, beautiful and religious sites in armenia, geghard monastery never fails to amaze both locals and tourists with its beauty and historical heritage. On september 21, 1991 armenia became an independent republic of armenia with yerevan being its capital. Shrouded in mystery, the temple of garni offers a rare glimpse into prechristian caucasia.
Do you need to book in advance to visit garni temple. Tour garni, a grecoroman pagan temple, then visit the unescolisted medieval monastery of geghard. Visit the 1stcentury ad hellenistic temple of garni, located in the kotayk province of armenia, a 40minute drive northeast of yerevan. People have been living in the territory of yerevan since the 4th millennium bc. The sandcastle girls by chris bohjalian, the forty days of musa dagh by franz werfel, an armenian sketchbook by vasily grossman. The architectural complex of garni was armenia s foremost center of hellenistic culture and the summer residence of armenian kings. Visiting garni temple in armenia is a slightly different experience to the monastery visits. Discover the best of garni so you can plan your trip right. This has been one of my best experiences in over a decade of travel. In the 8th century bc the area was conquered by the urartian king argishti i. Almost anyone who comes to armenia visits garni, and they think it is the 76 ad temple and roman style baths.