Armenia, Garni (the temple). Republic of Armenia: attractions

The Republic of Armenia, whose attractions number in the thousands, has an eloquent description - "Country-Museum". In this land, ancient civilizations once flourished, which left behind pagan temples. But there are many Christian shrines in Armenia. Traveling around the country can be compared with a pilgrimage - there are so many monasteries and churches with miraculous icons.

The capital of Armenia is Yerevan. This is a very ancient city. But beyond its borders, the power does not count attractions. It is impossible to remain silent about the natural beauties of Armenia. The South Caucasus with Mount Ararat (where, according to legend, the Noah's Ark moored after the Flood), Lake Sevan, Garni Gorge - here is not a complete list of sights. All of them attract tourists from different countries. In this article we will tell about the sights, which Armenia is rightly proud of - Garni.

Gorge

There are several objects with this name in the country. First, the village of Garni. It is located only twenty-eight kilometers from Yerevan. Such proximity to the capital makes it the most visited place for tourists. There is a settlement in the Kotay region (Armenia). Garni is also a gorge, on the bottom of which the Azat River flows. It is interesting because it contains five- and hexagonal high columns. The gorge is famous for its two temples. They are not connected by any religion or chronology.

One of them is an ancient pagan temple. It is also called Garni. The second temple is Christian. He is called Geghard. Since both sacred buildings are located close to each other, they can be visited in the program of one excursion. Another plus is the availability of a restaurant near the gorge. As a rule, travel agencies that carry tourists to the temples make a stop for lunch here. In addition to the delicious dishes of Armenian cuisine, you can enjoy folk songs and dances performed by professional groups.

The Garni pagan temple: history

Armenia adopted Christianity very early - in the third century. But in the country, strangely enough, the pagan temple has been preserved. It was dedicated to Mithra, the god of the sun. From destruction, the temple was saved by the fact that it was in a strategically important place. The temple was fortified in the early antique (Hellenistic) era. It was used as a fortress all the Middle Ages, until the earthquake in 1679 destroyed the powerful walls. In the Soviet period, the citadel was restored and turned into a museum.

According to the plaque with cuneiform, found in Garni, before the birth of the temple of Mithras there already was a fortress. King Urartu Argishti (the same one who built the citadel of Erebuni, the future Yerevan) conquered it in the first half of the eighth century BC. The Garni temple was erected by the Armenian king Trdat the First in 76 AD. About its existence mentions Tacitus. When the temple ceased to serve its direct purpose, it, unlike many pagan temples, was not destroyed or turned into a Christian church. The building was simply included in the fortifications. The Armenian kings made Garni their summer residence because of the fertile climate of the gorge and inaccessibility of this place. For more than a thousand years, the fortress protected its inhabitants from invasions of enemies.

Features of the location of the fortress Garni

The temple of Mitra dominates the terrain. It is located in the gorge of Garni in Armenia, where the Azat River makes a steep turn and forms a triangular cape. On this raised platform, a temple was erected. On both sides the sheer walls of the gorge serve as the most effective protection of the structure. The amazing slopes of this natural sights, which look like hexagonal prisms made by human hands, are called guidebooks for Armenia by the "Symphony of Stones".

Where an alleged enemy could approach the fortress, an impregnable wall with fourteen defensive towers was built. They were unevenly distributed. Where it was easiest for the enemy to approach the walls, the towers were ten meters apart, and where it was difficult - by 25-30 meters. Despite the fact that the garrison of the fortress was huge in number, it was possible to get inside the citadel only through the only narrow ones A gate the width of a chariot.

Garni Fortress

Only approaching this citadel, seeing how it "hovers" over the surrounding landscape, is struck by the craftsmanship of medieval architects. Even more amazed you come when you come close to the fortress. Its towers and walls are erected from huge blocks of smoothly hewn blue basalt. The blocks were not fastened with the solution, but only connected by staples and filled at the seams with lead. In this case, the thickness of the fortress walls is more than two meters! On the perimeter of the fortress stretch for three hundred and fourteen meters. This increased defensive capacity was caused by the high status of the citadel, which served as a summer residence for the kings, as well as frequent attacks, which at that time Armenia was subjected to. Garni courageously repulsed all the claims of the enemies.

Temple of Mitra

This ancient building was built in the Hellenistic style. The Garni Temple is a small rectangular structure surrounded by a colonnade outside. In the middle of the building there is a hall with a portico, in which in the pre-Christian era a statue of Mithras rose. The temple is a small canopy, the entrance to which is richly ornamented. To the facade there are wide steps, the height of each of them is thirty centimeters. This elevation of the temple gives it solemnity and grandeur. As for the small details of the decor, the deviation from the Hellenistic canons of decorating the sacred constructions is surprising. Along with the Atlanteans on the reliefs of the pylons and the acanthus sheet, escaping the columns, national motifs were introduced: flowers, grapes, hazel leaves, and pomegranate fruits.

Palace complex

In the excursion program, the Garni temple is not the only exhibit. After all, next to the sacred building are other, no less interesting sights. On the opposite side of the citadel there is a palace, or rather, what is left of it. In the wake of the red and pink paint on the walls one can get an impression of the magnificence of the royal chambers. At the cliff is the main hall. To the northern fortress wall are adjacent buildings that served as barracks for the garrison and a home for servants. There were on the territory of the ancient palace complex and bath. These terms were built not later than the third century and consisted of five rooms. On the floor of the baths there is an ancient mosaic.

Geghard

It is one of the most famous monasteries of the Republic of Armenia. Garni and Geghard are located quite close to each other. Therefore, sightseers, visiting the ancient temple, immediately visit and Christian monastery. The monastery is not in vain taken under the auspices of UNESCO. It originated at the dawn of Armenia's acceptance of Christianity. At that time, in 301, it represented several caves carved into the rock beneath the cells in which the hermits lived. It is believed that Grigory the Illuminator lived in the monastery. At the beginning of the thirteenth century a stone church was built here with the funds of the princes Mhargrdzeli. And after a quarter of a century, three other churches were carved into the rock behind him. The monastery is also famous for the tombs of princes.

Republic of Armenia: attractions

Garni and Geghard are not the only places in the country that are of interest to tourists. Many of Armenia's sights are concentrated in its capital. In Yerevan you should see the Grand Cascade, the Blue Mosque, Erebuni Fortress. After going to a small town of Areni, you will be rewarded with tasting the best Armenian wines. There are many ancient temples and monasteries in the country. Recommended for visiting - Noravank, Akhpat, Geghardavank, Tatev, Sevanavank and Khor Virap.