Garni

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This article is about the town. For the 1st-century temple complex, see Garni Temple. For bundle of herbs, see Bouquet garni.
Garni
Գառնի
Garni Village as seen from the Shrine of Saint Sargis
Garni
Գառնի
Coordinates: 40°07′10″N 44°43′23″E / 40.11944°N 44.72306°E / 40.11944; 44.72306Coordinates: 40°07′10″N 44°43′23″E / 40.11944°N 44.72306°E / 40.11944; 44.72306
Country  Armenia
Marz Kotayk
Government
 • Mayor Ashot Vardanyan
Elevation 1,400 m (4,600 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total 7,239
Time zone GMT +4 (UTC+4)

Garni (Armenian: Գառնի) is a major village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. It is known for the nearby pagan temple.

History

The settlement has an ancient history, and is best known for the Hellenistic Garni temple. The area was first occupied in the 3rd millennium BC along easily defensible terrain at one of the bends of the Azat River. In the 8th century BC the area was conquered by the Urartian King Argishti I. The fortification at Garni was erected probably sometime in the 3rd century BC as a summer residence for the Armenian Orontid and Artaxiad royal dynasties. Later around the 1st century BC the fortress of Garni became the last refuge of King Mithridates of Armenia and where he and his family were assassinated by his son-in-law and nephew Rhadamistus. The fortress was eventually sacked in 1386 by Timur Lenk. In 1679 an earthquake devastated the area destroying the temple.

Much of the population descends from people settled in the population exchange of 1829–1830 that followed the Treaty of Turkmenchay between Russia and Persia.

Monuments and landmarks

Garni is notable for its fortress complex with the 1st-century AD Garni Temple, Surb Astvatsatsin Church, Mashtots Hayrapet Church, a ruined 4th-century single-aisle church, a ruined Tukh Manuk Shrine, Saint Sargis Shrine, and a Queen Katranide Shrine.

Nearby is the Garni Gorge with well preserved basalt columns, carved out by the Goght River. This portion of the gorge is typically referred to as the "Symphony of the Stones". It is most easily reached via a road that leads left down the gorge just before reaching the temple of Garni. Another road leads to the gorge through the village, down a cobblestone road, and into the valley.

Once in the valley, turning right will lead to Garni Gorge, an 11th-century medieval bridge, and the "Symphony of the Stones". Taking a left will lead along the river past a fish hatchery, up to the Khosrov State Reserve, and a little further Havuts Tar Monastery (which may be seen from the temple). Within the reserve is also Aghjots Vank of the 13th century, a church of Saint Stepanos and the fortress of Kakavaberd. Garni lies along the road to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Geghard Monastery (further 7 km southeast).

Gallery

  • Map of Garni and the surrounding area.

  • Garni Temple

  • Mashtots Hayrapet Church of the 12th century

  • Garni Gorge "Symphony of the Stones"

  • The Havuts Tar Monastic Complex located across the gorge from Garni.

  • Aghjots Vank of the 13th century located within the Khosrov State Reserve.

References

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Garni.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Garni.
Capital: Hrazdan
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