Garni (UNESCO)
Garni Temple, an outstanding and unique example of Hellenistic culture in Armenia today, served as the summer resort of Armenian kings over two thousand years ago. The Temple and surrounding ruins are located around 30 km northeast of Yerevan in the Kotayk Region.
The Garni Fortress was built in the 3rd century BC on a triangular plateau.The nature and amasingly beautiful cliffs and caves surrounding Garni Temple, gifts its visitors unforgettable impressions. A 300 m wide fortress wall was built in the 3rd century BC featuring 14 towers and an arched entryway.It was one of the most legendary fortresses of ancient Armenia.
The fortress was destroyed by the Romans in the year 59 A.D., Tridates I ordered the fortress to be restored and enriched the site by constructing the Temple of the Sun. A Greek inscription found during excavations indicates that the king built a palace for his queen and restored the citadel in the 11th year of his reign. Near the temple, the remains of the royal Roman-style bathroom were found dating to the 3rd century AD. The bathroom had separate rooms with cold, warm, and hot water, with an intricate system of ceramic pipes beneath the flooring for circulating heated air. A truly unique piece of mosaic has been discovered on the floor of one of the rooms. The mosaic depicts sea gods, fish, and various mythological creatures. Garni underwent many desctructions and invasions by Arab, Mongol, and Turkish invaders in the 10th, 14th, and then 17th centuries. A violent earthquake in 1679 destroyed the rest of the temple . 20th century excavations revealed the fortress walls, towers and church ruins.
Garni is the only pagan temple on the territory of modern Armenia, which wasn't destroyed after the adoption of Christianity and stands still ignoring all historical calamities and earthquakes in its outstanding charm of royal palace. The site where the temple is built can still bring to mind the spirit of glorious Armenia. The view of the temple in calm summer evenings, under the moonlight is breathtaking with its openness and magnificent solitude.
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